MARYSVILLE — Shortly before the 2025-26 MHSAA boys basketball season, Erik Schunk privately decided it would be his last year as coach at Marysville High School.
With a 4-year-old daughter eager to embark on her own athletic journey, the veteran coach knew it was time.
“She’s starting all her own sports,” said Schunk, a 2001 Marysville graduate who took over the boys basketball program in 2019. “I’m blessed to be able to have a daughter and I don’t want to miss any of that.”
The 43-year-old has seen it all in a coaching career that spans 19 years. Now, he sees bright future for his successor.
Ben Davidson was hired as the Vikings’ next coach on Wednesday, April 15. He served as an assistant on Schunk’s staff this past season.
“I’m just so excited,” Davidson said. “It’s a super great opportunity. A lot of people my age don’t get opportunities like this. I helped out last year being an assistant and I’m very grateful that I was able to coach under Erik Schunk … I’m just ready to get to to work.”
Marysville went 57-90 over Schunk’s tenure, which included a MAC Silver/Bronze championship (shared with Warren Lincoln) in 2021.
“The program gave a ton to me and I always tried to give back to it,” Schunk said. “I want make to sure the program is run and done correctly. And I couldn’t be more happy with where it’s going now with Ben … he’s right person to take it where it needs to go.”
Davidson has deep roots in the Blue Water Area. He starred on the basketball team at St. Clair High School and graduated in 2018. Then, Davidson continued his career at Ferris State University, where he played five seasons from 2019 to 2024.
After finishing college, the St. Clair native returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach for the Saints during the 2024-25 season.
“I’ve been around some great basketball minds,” Davidson said. “Being able to use all their information, I’ve created my own philosophy (of basketball).”
“He connects so well with kids and transfers his knowledge to them,” Schunk said. “The way he inspires them to play hard is very cool to watch. I’m super confident that he’s going to be awesome.”
Ever since he was a senior in high school, Davidson has dreamed about running a basketball program.
“Creating a positive impact on the younger generation (is what I’m looking forward to the most),” Davidson said. “That’s the biggest thing. It’s something that they’re passionate about and I’m passionate about. Hopefully, I can make an impact on their lives in ways other than just basketball.
“Obviously, the goal is to win games. Every game, you want to win. But to be able to make a positive impact and create positive relationships (is important as well), because those are the relationships that you remember forever.”
Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @BrendenWelper.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Erik Schunk steps down as Marysville boys basketball coach; Ben Davidson takes over
Reporting by Brenden Welper, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
