Eastern Michigan University Athletics

Entering his fourth year at EMU in 2024 is Jerry VanHavel.

VanHavel was previously the on-campus recruiting coordinator for the Michigan State University football program.
 
VanHavel coordinated all recruiting special events, including all official and unofficial visits. He also assisted in the management of game day operations and was responsible for football and basketball game day tickets for all recruits and their guests.
 
Prior to arriving at Michigan State in August 2019, VanHavel spent more than three years (December 2016 – July 2019) as a recruiting coach at the University of Mount Union, working with prospects around the country. During his time with the Purple Raiders, the University of Mount Union won the 2017 Division III National Championship and compiled a 29-1 record during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
 
Before coaching at the University of Mount Union, VanHavel was the head football and assistant track coach for 26 seasons at Mason High School in Mason, Mich., as well as a teacher in the district for 30 years. VanHavel retired from Mason as the winningest coach in school history with a 169-88 record and was selected regional coach of the year nine times. VanHavel is the only coach at Mason to lead the Bulldogs to the MHSAA state playoffs, doing so 15 times. Under VanHavel, Mason won seven conference titles and two district championships while winning more games in 26 seasons than the school had won in all other seasons combined. VanHavel will be inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in March 2020.
 
VanHavel played collegiately at the University of Toledo in 1983-84 and in 1984 the Rockets won the MAC title and played UNLV in the California Bowl in Fresno. He also played at Hillsdale (Mich.) from 1985-87 and was part of a team that won an NAIA national title in 1985.
 
VanHavel earned a bachelor’s degree from Hillsdale and a master’s degree from Michigan State. The Morenci, Michigan, native is married to his wife, Lisa, and they have four adult children, Erika, Erin, Emily, and Jarrett.