DCC’s new coach Cessante: ‘Honored to be coming home’
In its search to find a new leader of one of the most high-profile Michigan high school football programs, Novi Detroit Catholic Central has chosen one of its own.
Justin Cessante, who captained CC to backto-back state championships in 1997-98, was introduced Wednesday at its Novi campus as the Shamrocks’ next head coach before a gathering of players, faculty, administrators and alumni.
“I’m honored to be coming home,” Cessante said. “It’s a blessing to have this opportunity and come back to Catholic Central where I played and coached for 19 years. Very excited about the next phase of my life and the opportunity to impact young men at this great institution.”
Cessante follows Dan Anderson, who went 44-21 overall in six seasons, including one regional, one Catholic League and three district titles. In Anderson’s final season, the Shamrocks finished 8-3, losing to eventual Division 1 champion Belleville in the regional final, 33-10.
Anderson replaced the legendary Tom Mach, who retired in 2017 after 41 seasons (1976-2016) with a 370-94 overall record — fourth all-time among Michigan High School Athletic Association coaches — to go with 10 state titles and seven runner-up finishes.
Cessante, a 1999 CC grad, played for Mach at running back and strong safety.
“I am from the old school, but obviously know how to evolve to the new school, so it’s going to be a lot of tenacity, great effort, very much mental toughness, physical toughness and a little bit of the old school feel with a new school feel,” said Cessante, who continued his football career at Grand Valley State, where he was a member of the Lakers’ 2002 Division II championship team.
The Catholic Central job attracted a total of 50 applicants and a five-member selection committee whittled the field down to 15 candidates to interview before settling on Cessante.
“It was important for us to hire somebody that we knew was right for the culture here at Catholic Central,” athletic director Aaron Babicz said. “I don’t think that we had to reinvent the wheel. I think Justin’s connections and the passion came in with — the tough love that he
talked about and loving the kids tough with a high amount of faith and passion — I think that’s what set him apart. I think also being a graduate of Catholic Central he’s been through the fire here and was really important. It was not necessarily a determining factor, but it helps when you hire somebody that has worn the valiant blue and peerless white, and knows what it takes to be successful here.”
Cessante graduated from GVSU in 2004 with a degree in marketing and public relations. He began as an assistant coach at CC that same year and was the Shamrocks’ defensive
coordinator in 2019 before stepping away to become a TV color analyst for Bally Sports Detroit’s high school game coverage.
At age 21, Cessante co-founded HYPE (Helping Youth Progress & Excel), a nonprofit that services communities through education, social awareness and athletics. In 2012, he received the an award for his community service from the Twilight Foundation.
He founded the Legacy Football Organization and is also executive director of the L.E.A.D. Foundation, a nonprofit affiliated with Legacy, an all-sports indoor and outdoor sports complex in Pinckney.
“I’m going to take a little bit of time to phase out of the Legacy Football program,” Cessante said. “I’ve got two really good men with me, who are also high school coaches, Cody Patton and Louis Adams, who will be taking over that day-to-day. I’m just very excited to be back home and in the school where I think a head coach needs to be.”
Babicz said Cessante will eventually transition into a full-time role at CC.
“We made it a priority that our head football coach is working inside the school, so he will have a position inside Catholic Central,” Babicz said. “Justin hasn’t changed over the years. He was always an energetic player here at Catholic Central. And I think he carries that along with him. He’s an emotional coach. I think he coaches with a high level of passion and a high level of love. And I think that’s going to spill over to the kids.”
Meanwhile, it will be a period of getting acquainted for Cessante, who will assemble a new staff. But his first order of business is getting to know the players and spending time with them.
“I’ve known coach Cessante for a long time,” junior defensive end Stone Chaney said. “He’s been around me and my family since I was little. I think he’s going to steer this program in the right direction and I think we have a really good shot of doing something great this year. I know he’s going to keep the tradition around, but he’s also going to bring some new energy. I know he knows about the brotherhood and how we run things around here.”
During his introductory speech, Cessante touched upon that fact that he grew up in a single-parent home. (He and his wife, Christina, have two young daughters, Iyla and Stella.)
“I had no lineage, no legacy,” Cessante said. “I grew up on Telegraph and Joy Road. Wasn’t supposed to be here. Almost didn’t make it my first year. Almost didn’t make it my second year. And now I’m sitting here as the head coach at Catholic Central and I’m greatly honored.
“It’s a moment that’s surreal, God is great. It’s a great history of people that impact other people. But today is not about me. Today is about this community. It’s about toughness, goodness, discipline and knowledge.”
Royals, Chapman agree on $3.75M deal for 2023
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Royals and Aroldis Chapman have agreed to a $3.75 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending a successful physical for the seven-time AllStar.
Chapman was once among baseball’s most dynamic pitchers, known for consistently throwing 100 mph or more. But the left-hander, who will be 35 on opening day, is coming off the worst season of his 13-year career, going 4-4 with a 4.46 ERA for the Yankees in 2022 while raising questions about his dedication to his team.
Chapman spent time on the injured list with Achilles tendinitis in May, and then lost the closer job to Clay Holmes. He was on the IL again in August for a leg infection following a tattoo, and then was kept off New York’s roster for the AL Division Series after missing a mandatory team workout and drawing the ire of manager Aaron Boone.
Porter, Johnson become MLB’s 2nd, 3rd Black ump crew chiefs
NEW YORK – Alan Porter and Adrian Johnson became MLB’s second and third Black umpire crew chiefs as the league announced 10 retirements along with promotions from the minors.
Tom Hallion and Ted Barrett are retiring, the commissioner’s office said Thursday, joined by Marty Foster, Greg Gibson, Jim Reynolds, Jerry Meals, Sam Holbrook, Bill Welke, Paul Nauert and Tim Timmons.
Porter, 45, made his big league debut in 2010 and joined the permanent staff in 2013. Johnson, 47, worked his first major league game in 2006 and became a full-time big league umpire in 2010.
Kerwin Danley was the first Black crew chief in 2020. He retired after the 2021 season.
Lance Barksdale, Dan Bellino, Chris Conroy, James Hoye and Todd Tichenor also were promoted to crew chief.
Marlins’ Cueto brings flair, veteran presence to Miami
MIAMI – Before his Marlins introductory news conference, Johnny Cueto walked to the mound at his new home ballpark wearing sunglasses and a giddy smile, wrapped in a Dominican flag and dancing as music blasted throughout.
“To me it’s an honor,” the new Miami pitcher said through a translator. “Just the way the organization welcomed me, and the city. It was great. It was the same feeling as back home in the Dominican Republic.”
Cueto signed a one-year deal with the Marlins after spending the 2022 season with Chicago. Before that, he was with San Francisco for six seasons. His deal includes $8.5 million guaranteed for 2023, with a $2.5 million buyout if Miami does not exercise a club option for 2024.
The Marlins added Cueto to a rotation that includes NL Cy
Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara, Pablo López, Trevor Rogers, Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett and Jesús Luzardo.
Marlins general manager Kim Ng said Cueto will add depth and competition to Miami’s rotation.
Hembree, Brewers agree to minor league deals with Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rays agreed Thursday to minor league contracts with right-handers Heath Hembree, Ben Heller, Colten Brewer, Braden Bristo, Zack Burdi, Trevor Kelley and Elvin Rodriguez, and catcher Nick Dini.
All eight will report to major league spring training.
The Rays also invited 18 minor league players to big league camp, including last year’s Tampa Bay minor league player of the year Kyle Manzardo and minor league pitcher of the year Mason Montgomery.
M’s sign La Stella to 1-year deal
SEATTLE – The Seattle Mariners signed infielder Tommy La Stella to a one-year contract on Thursday, adding another versatile veteran to their roster.
La Stella spent the past two seasons with San Francisco but was designated for assignment by the Giants in late December. La Stella signed a three-year, $18.75 million deal before the 2021 season but played in just 136 games and hit .245 over his two seasons with the Giants.