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For many decades the Free Press has hosted football coaches meetings to help determine which players would receive postseason honors.
Representing the Detroit Public School League for decades was Mackenzie's Bob Dozier.
More often than not, the meetings evolved into "The Bob Dozier Show."
“In all those meetings, he was one of the great ones,” said former Westland Glenn coach Chuck Gordon. “He was a great coach, tremendous sense of humor, one of the really, really good guys in our profession.”
At some point in every meeting, Dozier would use the term “bona fide” to describe a player and the other coaches would go nuts.
“He’d come to those meetings and he’d say, 'Bona fide,' ” Gordon said. “We knew then that kid was going to make the team.”
The state lost one of its most "bona fide" coaches ever when Dozier died on Friday, April 15, 2022. The cause of death was listed as dementia. He was 76.
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Chuck Greene
Coach Robert "Bob" Dozier played football and threw the javelin for Olivet College; upon graduation, he came directly to Mackenzie. Dozier assumed the role of football defensive coordinator, becoming a guiding force who would help lead Mackenzie and the surrounding community through some very difficult times. By 1971, Dozier had been named head football coach; he also piloted Mackenie's baseball, and tennis teams.
I will never forget when Coach paused our viewing of (the WHS) game film in October, 1975. Coach had taken note of how I stepped-up to protect the quarterback when out PAT attempt went awry.
“Greene”, Coach announced to the team....”son, you just won a varsity letter”.
Coach Bob Dozier put the “Mighty” in the Mighty-Mighty Stags; he positively impacted many-many lives, and he will be dearly missed.
Chuck Greene #37
Mackenzie, Class of 1976