MONROE – Monroe’s football team hopes to be “Army Strong” this season.
The Trojans gained an edge in that department when Brad Bielaniec was hired as the strength and conditioning coach at the high school in July.
Bielaniec previously served as a strength coach at Army, Marshall and Appalachian State.
“He’s been really good for us,” Monroe football coach Kyle Reed said. “We’re happy to get him.”
The Monroe football players were singing Bielaniec’s praises before his team’s first practice of the year on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.
“He’s been amazing,” said senior linebacker Tanner Collett. “He’s been changing attitudes for kids. I love working out. He’s been great for me.”
“I love him,” said junior quarterback Grady Brooks. “My brother is in the Army, so I really respect that. He’s the man.”
“We’re ready to put in the work. We are a lot stronger,” added junior cornerback-slot receiver Julian Espinoza. “He definitely has improved us mentally and physically.”
Reed was upbeat as the Trojans began practice for the 2025 season on a bright, sunny afternoon.
“Our numbers are up on the varsity,” the third-year head coach said. “We have a really big junior and sophomore class. There are 30 in each of those classes. We had a good summer.”
Monroe, coming off a 2-7 season, faces an odd schedule. The Trojans are home for four of their first five games, then finishes the regular season with four straight on the road.
“We have no home games in October,” Reed said.
Collett was unable to practice Monday because of a lingering hamstring injury suffered during track season, but was there to help his teammates in any way possible.
“We have a whole new linebacker group besides me,” he said. “We lost some really good seniors I just want to help the younger guys (today).”
Collett, who is beginning his fourth season as a starter, led the Monroe County Region with 109 tackles last season and has racked up around 300 in his career.
“I love defense,” said Collett, who also will play some tight end for Monroe. “I just like to go out and hit people, and I love being a leader.”
Monday’s workout brought back memories of three years earlier when he arrived for his first practice as a freshman and wound up earning a starting job.
“It flies by,” he said. “I remember being in the sixth grade looking up to these guys. Now, kids are looking up to me. It’s surreal.”
Collett plans to play football in college but hasn’t made any decisions yet. Saginaw Valley, Ferris State and Grand Valley are among the schools that have expressed interest.
“I am hoping to have a big senior year,” he said.
Like Collett, Brooks surprised a lot of people by earning a starting job early in his career. He had to set in as the starting quarterback as a sophomore following an injury.
“It definitely helps to have a little experience,” he said. “I am not going in blind.”
MONROE SCHEDULE
Aug. 28: PLYMOUTH, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5: DEXTER, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12: at Ann Arbor Skyline, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19: BEDFORD, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26: SALINE, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3: at Jackson, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10: at Ann Arbor Pioneer, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17: at Ann Arbor Huron, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24: at Rochester, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: New Monroe football strength coach drawing rave reviews from players
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
