CHEBOYGAN — It was a highly successful year for many Cheboygan-area teams.
As for the coaches who guided those respective teams to success, they were great too.
With the 2025-26 high school sports year complete, it’s given us time to reflect and appreciate the terrific jobs many area coaches did with their squads, whether it was in the fall, winter or spring.
Who did the best coaching job? Now is your chance to vote in this poll, which opens on Tuesday morning, July 14, and closes at 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 17.
Here’s a look at the coaching candidates for this year:
Best Cheboygan-area coach candidates
Jason Friday, Cheboygan Boys Basketball —In his final season in charge of the program, Friday guided the Chiefs to an 18-7 record, a runner-up finish in the Northern Shores Conference, and a first district championship since 2015.
Travis Meyer, Inland Lakes Football — Guided the Bulldogs to a 9-0 regular season, a fifth consecutive Ski Valley Conference 8-player title, and another playoff appearance.
Daryl Vizina, Inland Lakes Girls Basketball — Vizina’s Bulldogs went 22-4, won a fourth consecutive district title, and earned the first regional title in I-L program history.
Sarah Furman, Inland Lakes Girls Track and Field — It was another elite season for Furman’s Bulldogs, who won a third regional title in four years and a Ski Valley championship.
Heather Huffman, Mackinaw City Boys Cross Country — Guided the Mackinaw City boys to a Northern Lakes Conference title, a runner-up finish in the region, and a berth in the state finals for the first time since 2011.
Lonny Metty, Onaway Softball — Helped guide the Cardinals to a district title repeat and a second consecutive berth in the regional final.
Dena Moore, Pellston Softball — Moore’s Hornets captured a first district title since 2023.
Josh Ferraiuolo, Burt Lake NMCA Boys and Girls Basketball — Under Ferraiuolo, the NMCA boys (17-8) won the program’s first district title, while the NMCA girls (17-7) earned the Northern Lakes Conference championship.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Who was the best Cheboygan-area sports coach of 2025-26? Vote here!
