When he took over the program in 2021, Will Kates was the fourth head football coach that the Merkel Badgers program had seen in as many years — after a period in which the program had had just three coaches from 2000-2018.

Having spent three years providing stability to the team, Kates announced on Wednesday that he was stepping down from his post and would be the offensive coordinator at Saginaw Eagle Mountain.

It’s a decision that was difficult for the first time head coach.