Eastern Michigan Athletics
Three Coaches with EMU Football Ties Named to MHSFCA Hall of Fame Class of 2026
6/27/2026 4:11:00 PM | Football
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Three coaches with ties to Eastern Michigan University football were inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2026. Former student-athlete Corey Parker, former football captain Brendan Flaherty, and EMU alumnus Brian Lemons were among the 14-member class that was honored June 19 at the MHSFCA Hall of Fame Banquet in Southfield, Mich.
Parker earned three varsity letters as a defensive back at Eastern Michigan and graduated in 2005. During 13 seasons as head coach at River Rouge High School, he compiled a 156-55 record and led the Panthers to seven district championships, five regional titles, five state semifinal appearances, three state championship game appearances, and the 2019 Division 3 state title. More than 100 of his players went on to play college football. Parker currently serves as defensive backs coach at the University of Illinois.
Flaherty graduated from Eastern Michigan in 1990, where he was a senior captain and three-year letterwinner for the Eagles. He later returned to coach at EMU before collegiate coaching stops at Kent State and St. Joseph's College. Since becoming head coach at Birmingham Groves in 2001, Flaherty has accumulated 180 victories, the most in program history. He has led the Falcons to four league championships and multiple state playoff appearances while earning Regional Coach of the Year honors in 2004, 2015, and 2016.
Lemons earned his master's degree in athletic administration from Eastern Michigan University. Currently the head coach at Brighton High School, Lemons is in his 30th season as a coach and has led programs at Brighton and Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard to sustained success. His teams have qualified for the MHSAA playoffs 16 times, won multiple conference championships, captured district and regional titles, and reached the Division 1 state championship game in 2019. He has been recognized as MHSFCA Regional Coach of the Year six times.
The Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame recognizes coaches who have made significant contributions to high school football in the state of Michigan.
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