By all indications, Anchor Bay’s football program is close to having an official, full-time head football coach again.

But it won’t be last year’s interim coach, Bob Schroeder, the winner of last year’s MAC Red Coach of the Year honors, as he’s now part of the coaching staff at L’Anse Creuse.

Nor will it be Mike Giannone, the man who led the Tars the four seasons prior to last, before being placed on administrative leave after Week 3 of last fall’s campaign, pending an investigation into his classroom conduct as a teacher.

“After five years of dedicated service to the Anchor Bay football program, I was recently informed that my coaching contract will not be renewed,” Giannone said in a statement. “While I am disappointed by this decision, I remain incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to build a program that prioritizes character, accountability, and the development of young men both on and off the field.

“Throughout my 44 years of coaching, including 27 as a head coach, I have committed myself fully to helping student-athletes grow through discipline, hard work, and belief in themselves. At Anchor Bay, we increased participation, strengthened relationships with the community, and laid a foundation for long-term success.

“I want to thank the players, families, assistant coaches, and supporters who stood with me through the highs and lows. Your trust and dedication have meant the world to me.

“This chapter may be closing, but I remain passionate about mentoring, leading, and making a difference in young people’s lives. My journey is far from over, and I look forward to what lies ahead.”

Schroeder did not interview for the job in hopes that he wouldn’t get in the way of the school hiring Giannone, a longtime close friend: “(I) would never do that to Mike.”

Anchor Bay High School Athletic Director Jeremy Spezia declined to comment on the status of the job opening “until the hiring process is complete,” without specifying any timeline.

“You’re missing your master coach,” Schroeder said in support of Giannone.

The hiring process is a seemingly unusual one; Anchor Bay posted all of their head coaching positions in January, requiring their already in-position coaches to re-apply and re-interview.

Present in Giannone’s most recent head coach interview on Monday, April 7, were two Anchor Bay board members, the HR director, the school’s principal and athletic director and director of curriculum.

Giannone was put on administrative leave after telling a female student her outfit was in violation of the school’s dress code. A Title IX investigation was conducted on the interaction and Giannone was barred from both coaching and teaching.

The incident took place during the second week of the Tars’ season.

When Giannone returned to teaching after the investigation, a second teacher was kept in his class. He was not allowed to attend the football team’s senior sendoff or end-of-season banquet and never returned to the sideline.

Giannone is still a teacher at Anchor Bay High School.

The former coach shared a Facebook post late Friday, five days after the interview, saying goodbye to the program.

“After dedicating five years of my life to Anchor Bay and the football program, I was informed via email today that the district has decided to go in a different direction,” Giannone wrote on Facebook.

“No one ever spoke to me directly. I’m saddened by how this was handled, but I’m incredibly grateful for the journey and for all the people I’ve had the privilege to meet along the way — especially the players and their families. I truly hope I was able to make a positive impact on your lives.

“To all the young men I’ve coached: I wish you nothing but success on and off the field. Keep working, stay strong and never forget the lessons the game teaches us.

“Continue to BELIEVE!”It has over 140 comments and counting in support of Giannone.

After a 2-1 start, he was suspended from the team and replaced by Schroeder, who guided the Tars to a 3-6 overall record.

The Anchor Bay football team and its community have largely supported Giannone throughout the process, including several instances where crowds showed up en masse to school board meetings to advocate for the coach.

“Our leader was unexpectedly taken from us after the third game of the season,” senior football player Gerry Hanson said at a school board meeting in November. “We were lost. Many players instantly became disappointed and discouraged. The whole, entire atmosphere at practice had changed.”

Giannone, a Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame inductee, holds a 226-91 career record as head coach across stops at Dakota, De La Salle and Anchor Bay. He was fired from De La Salle in 2019 in the midst of a hazing scandal that ultimately resulted in civil lawsuits and the ousting of the school’s president and other administrators.