Former Detroit Lions player Brian Calhoun returns to Oak Creek as head coach

 

OAK CREEK, Wis. (CBS 58) -- "I grew up in this community," New Oak Creek head football coach Brian Calhoun says. "I went to this school. I walked the halls. Played on the field, so I think I bring a unique balance of experience but also being able to relate to the kids."

Calhoun played two years for the Badgers and spent three seasons in Detroit with the Lions.

"I think it's funny because, you know, obviously being named the head football coach. A lot of these kids weren't born when I played, right?" Calhoun says with a laugh.

His name is still all over the record books. But how has the prep game changed since he was at Oak Creek?

"They're bigger, and they're faster and they're stronger," Calhoun says. "And they're able to run more complex offenses and defenses. So that's definitely changed."

Brian holds his Madison days near and dear.

"I really enjoyed my time being at Wisconsin," Calhoun says. "I owe a lot of credit to a lot of coaches there, especially Coach Alvarez and Coach Chryst."

And he's always worn his Lions gear with pride. Now? Just maybe a little more prominently.

"I tell people all the time, I'm, you know, we weren't very good then," Calhoun says. "But you know, I was fortunate to play with Coach Dan Campbell. And he was the exact same as a player. And so I'm really happy for the success. I hope they can go all the way this year. For so many years, I wore Detroit Lions gear all over and everybody was like, why? But now it's like I can wear it with a little bit more pride. And so hopefully we gained a lot of bandwagon fans so to speak. And hopefully we can go a lot farther this year."

"The color scheme's not that far off," CBS 58's Lance Allen says.

"No!" Calhoun exclaims. "It's not Honolulu blue but it's pretty close, and so I'm excited for their playoff run."