Staff Spotlight: Veteran football coach Jeremy Killinger teaches great carry-over skills on the field

Jeremy Killinger, head varsity football coach, preparing his team for the season’s first football game. Photo credit: Amy Haggerty

by Amy Haggerty

Jeremy Killinger is beginning his 20th year as head football coach for Stockbridge High School. He’s proving to be a popular choice for “coach,” as he’s also into his fifth year as head girls soccer coach and he is the boys freshman basketball coach. In the past, Killinger also filled in as a long-term substitute teacher at the middle school and high school in Stockbridge.

Many in the community view Killinger as fair, knowledgeable, and hard working. He has shaped many young athletes from this community into well-rounded citizens, including many who have gone on to play at the college level, applying so much of what they have learned from Killinger.

This coach has many responsibilities the general public are unaware of, such as recruiting athletes, hiring staff, scheduling, maintaining equipment/field, procuring equipment, and fundraising for running his program. Killinger works directly with school administration and the athletic and maintenance departments to accomplish many of these tasks. Most importantly, he works with our students and their families. More than once, this community has watched Killinger take lost students and shape them into respectful community members.

Killinger grew up in the north Fowlerville area and moved to Stockbridge as a young boy. His dad, Alden Killinger, worked as a herdsman for the Topping and Sweet families. After graduating from Stockbridge High School in 1994, Killinger attended Baker College and Spring Arbor University. He works full time as a controller for CD Okemos 10, LLC, the company that runs the Mugg & Bopps convenience store chain.

He married his high school sweetheart, Kim, in 1998. In October, they will be celebrating their 23rd anniversary. Many are familiar with Kim, who works in the media center at the Junior/Senior Stockbridge High School.

The Killingers have three children. Alexis is 19 years old, working as a medical in East Lansing. This fall she will be attending Lansing Community College studying Psychology with the hopes of becoming a physician’s assistant.

Peyton is 17 and begins her freshman year at Spring Arbor University, where she is majoring in criminal justice and minoring in pre-law. She is also a goalkeeper for Spring Arbor’s women’s soccer program.

Eleven-year-old Evan will be a fifth-grader at Heritage Elementary School. He loves football, like his dad, and is also partial to basketball and weightlifting. Since moving to the country, Evan enjoys more outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, and exploring.

Coach Killinger enjoys spending time with his family, outdoor activities, and working with community and church organizations. He runs the Stockbridge TD club, which is a nonprofit offering football and cheerleading opportunities to about 175 K-through-8 students in the Stockbridge Community School District. He is also an active member of the Stockbridge Athletic Boosters Club.

Many have influenced Killinger in his life. He specifically cites the love of Christ; his parents, Patty and Alden; and his wife, Kim. He says of his wife: “She is amazing. She loves me unconditionally and pushes me to be my best each day. Her love and dedication to family and community keep me both driven and grounded in life.”

Killinger also speaks highly of his grandparents, the Killingers and Pilkingtons; his great-aunt Hope; and his father-in-law David Lloyd. He also mentioned close family friends Todd and TJ Lekander for their friendship and life influences.

Looking back, Coach also credits many of his past teachers in Stockbridge Schools for helping to shape the person he is today. In addition, he mentioned two secretaries that ran the high school office—Mary Carpenter and Lucy Learned. “They were guiding lights for me for many years.”

Speaking of his current role, Killinger says, “I really enjoy working with the employees in all the departments from Stockbridge Community Schools. And there isn’t a much higher honor than to have parents trust you with the development of their children, and to have students believe in you and strive to be their best.”

Killinger would like to pass along some advice to the students of Stockbridge. “Do the right thing all the time. Try your absolute best in all things. Enjoy the moments and cherish the memories. Give back to those who have given to you and be grateful for your parents and your community.”

Next time families you a football game, look around and see all the improvements that have taken place the past couple of years. They are all thanks to Killinger for his love and devotion to improving the spectators’ experience at high school football games.

Considering the amount of time he gives to this community and to the school district to make it a better place to work and live, the Stockbridge School District is fortunate to have Jeremy Killinger.

Amy Haggerty retired from Stockbridge Community Schools after teaching for 33 years in the Stockbridge district. She moved to the community 24 years ago with her husband and daughter. She enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

The Stockbridge Panthers football team at the 2021 summer football camp. Photo credit: Amy Haggerty