ZEELAND – For two decades, the Zeeland West program has been a constant playoff presence and state title contender.
John Shillito has been the only head coach that the Dux have ever known in program history and has led Zeeland West to five state titles behind the vaunted Wing-T offense.
Yes the Dux have won a state title in 20% of their football seasons and made the playoffs 18 of their 20 years, winning at least 10 games eight times.
Now, the Dux will have to find a new coach for the first time as Shillito announced his retirement.
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“It has been something that has been coming for a little while, and it is not easy – it comes with very mixed emotions,” Shillito said. “The run that we made this year makes it harder rather than easier because we accomplished a lot, and it was a lot of fun.
“If you told me it would be 20 years in Zeeland I would have said, ‘No way.’ But it has been that good of a run.”
Shillito, 67, led the program to a stunning 185-46 record in 20 years, retiring with an astounding .801 win percentage with the Dux, second-highest in state history. He led Zeeland West to state titles in 2006 – the program’s second year – then 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2024.
The team is 18-4 from the regional finals on in program history.
Zeeland West (13-1) defeated Detroit MLK 42-22 on Nov. 29 behind a six-touchdown performance from Keaton Hendricks, breaking the MHSAA state finals record.
The team had a record four players earn first-team all-state honors with safety/quarterback Trey Sloothaak being named Division 3 Player of the Year. Hendricks, Brody Maas and Isaac VanderZwaag were all named to the first team by the Michigan Sports Writers.
“It is two-fold with relationship with staff and relationships with the kids. We have had a great staff. This year’s team, it was definitely the leadership ability of this group,” Shillito said. “This year I thought we beat the best two teams we have ever faced in the playoffs, in DeWitt and King. Our kids were at their highest level when they needed to most. It just speaks to the character.”
Shillito earned his spot in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2025.
“Coach Shillito’s impact on Zeeland West goes far beyond his success on the football field,” said Zeeland West Athletic Director Jordan Bandstra. “The culture he brought here and established in 2005 has left a lasting mark on our athletic department and school as a whole. He played a pivotal role in laying the foundation and upholding the standard at ZW. John’s true impact can be seen at the personal level. It is overwhelming when you think about all the young men that he was able to impact with his unique ability to create connections and earn trust. He is known as a coach who does it the right way, and I think that starts with how he treats and cares for his players.”
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Shillito took three teams to state finals before coming to Zeeland. He started as a head coach at age 25 and was at Comstock Park for three years, then Muskegon Orchard View for 14 and East Kentwood for four.
That adds up to 41 years of coaching, not to mention nearly 30 years coaching throwers in track and field.
“It is about enjoying the process. We were always more process-driven than product-driven. I have always enjoyed practices. That is really my favorite part of coaching, it is the nuts and bolts in practice,” he said. “Being able to walk away legacy-wise, I feel really good about where our program is. We had an education-first program.”
So what is next for Shillito and his wife of 45 years, Wendy?
“We will probably do a little traveling. It is going to be a lot different. My wife deserves more of my time. She has been there since the beginning,” he said. “She has been a trooper but has enjoyed it. I am looking forward to that time with her.”
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
