TEMPERANCE – Dave Mifsud was building a nice football program at Woodhaven.
The former Monroe High coach crafted an 8-3 record with the Warriors last season after going 4-5 in each of his first two seasons.
Many of Woodhaven’s top players are back for 2026.
“That program is going to be winning for a long time,” Mifsud said.
So why did the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Famer leave in January to become the head coach at Bedford?
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It’s simple.
His dream job was open.
“When I took the job at Woodhaven, I told them I am not changing unless the Bedford job opened up,” he said. “I didn’t expect it to open up, but it did.”
Mifsud moved to the Bedford area five years ago to be close to family in Toledo.
“It’s close to home, four minutes from my house,” he said. “It’s convenient. I can go to youth football games and volleyball, basketball and baseball games.
“I can go home for dinner and get back here. I know the community. It’s where I live. That was really big for me.”
Ironically, Mifsud watched a Bedford football playoff game last fall.
Woodhaven’s opening game in the state playoffs was scheduled for a Saturday, so he went to watch the Mules play at Allen Park the night before.
“It was Halloween,” Mifsud said. “I would have been bouncing off the walls if I stayed home handing out candy, so I decided to go to a game.”
He liked what he saw from Bedford.
“I was very impressed,” he said.
He became even more impressed when he got a look at Bedford’s football program from the inside.
““The kids are very good athletes and have a very good work ethic,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know them. There are a lot of really good people at Bedford.”
Mifsud retained Stefan Wilkinson, Cam Braun and Cory Schuer from the previous staff and recruited some new assistants including former Bedford athletes Jerry Harris and Chad Henman.
“It was a lot of work, a lot of interviews,” Mifsud said. “There were a lot of long winter nights, but I think we have a really good staff.”
That staff has impressed the players.
“It’s been 100 times better,” said center-nose guard Kale Ernest. “Everything is done with high intensity.”
“It’s been great,” senior receiver-defensive back Keagan Dixon said. “We work hard every day and we’re a lot closer. The coaches set a new standard from Day 1.”
Quite a bit of talent returns from last season. The Mules have six returning starters on offense and five on defense.
Junior Luke Whetstone, who was forced by injuries into a starting role for a playoff game as a freshman, is beginning his third season at quarterback.
Whetstone has always been a talented runner, but will get more chances to throw the ball in Mifsud’s spread offense.
“I am excited to showcase what I can do,” he said. “I’ve had to learn a new offense, which was tough, but the coaches have helped me through it.”
Whetstone will work behind an experienced line.
Ernest is back along with fellow starters Waylon Napier, Sawyer Pienta and Parker Winslow. Dixon and Jaxon Lestock will be inviting pass targets for Whetstone.
Sophomore Yousiff Jomaa will be the primary ballcarrier with Masyn Moran seeing time as a punishing fullback.
Defensively, linebacker Everett Wingate returns after leading the Mules with 66 tackles last season. He recently committed to play at Northwood.
“I like what they are building there,” he said of his college choice.
And he likes the defense that Bedford is building.
“We lost a few key guys, but their backups are ready to step up,” he said. “This defense will set us up. If it’s not me (making the tackle) someone else will do it.”
Mifsud is making one simple prediction for his first season at Bedford.
“I expect us to show up every Friday night and compete,” he said.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Hall of Famer Mifsud lands dream job at Bedford | Training Camp Report