Story courtesy of Terry Foster, Detroit News
Since 1978, The Detroit News has paid homage to individuals who
exemplify excellence, courage, philanthropy and simple acts of
kindness that uplift not only the metro area, but the entire state
of Michigan.
From titans in the boardroom, entertainers and most-valuable
athletes to community activists and unsung heroes, the recipients
of this prestigious honor have worked unselfishly to help others,
oftentimes without seeking recognition for themselves.
This year - our 34th anniversary - we present 11 citizens who
shined in 2012.
Paul
Winters: Leader revamps Warriors program
Link
to Detroit News article on Michiganians of the Year
Link
to Detroit News article on Paul Winters
Michiganian of the Year: Paul
Winters: For guiding Wayne State football to its
winningest season in school history.
Wayne State University football coach Paul
Winters gathered his team together for one final huddle.
They stood in the middle of Braly Stadium on the campus of North
Alabama University the day before playing Pittsburg State in the
Division II national championship game. He wanted them to look at
the NCAA championship logos, examine the field and finally walk up
into the stands for a team photo.
He wanted the seniors to savor the moment and for underclassmen to
dream of returning again.
Winters was named the American Football Coaches National D-II
Coach of the Year for guiding one of the worst and most forgotten
about programs to one of national promise. The Warriors lost the
following day, but the football team changed the culture around the
campus and Metro Detroit.
For four magical weeks the "Road Warriors" won four playoff games
away from Adams Field in downtown Detroit before advancing to the
title game. And when the run ended, Winters did something more
stunning. He said yes to Wayne State and yes to Detroit by turning
down the head coaching job at his alma mater, University of Akron,
where he played and coached.
"It just didn't feel right," he shrugged.
This isn't Michigan or Michigan State; Wayne State football is on
the map. Before Winters arrived, Wayne's last winning season was in
1993. They were 24-78 the next 10 seasons, including a 1-9 year his
first season.
"They were saying, 'You guys aren't any good. What have you
done?'" Winters said. "It was almost like they were challenging us
to do something." Winters stuck to his principles of playing
conservative, hard-nosed football where WSU won and lost on the
running game and defense. He cleaned house of players who did not
want to be there. He also told people who had negative perceptions
of the program to go away.
"Wayne State was bad in football and the perception was it was
going to remain that way," Winters said. "We could not think that
way; we can't talk that way we can't act that way. We tried to make
everybody who dealt with us expect more and demand more."
Winters made the demands but thought he'd failed. A 43-42 overtime
loss by the University of Findlay gave Hillsdale the conference
championship, and Winters thought his playoff hopes were dashed.
However, a text message came from Athletic Director Rob
Fournier: Wayne was in the playoffs.
In the span of a month, the Road Warriors logged 4,558 miles and
knocked off defending champion Minnesota-Duluth, unbeaten Winston
Salem (N.C.), Nebraska at Kearney and St. Cloud State.
"He changed the approach. He changed the culture around here,"
Fournier said. "And I think that has trickled to the other coaches.
Because of his personality, I think he relates to people and not
just recruits. He brought back a winning attitude for all our
departments. You can have other good programs but if football and
basketball don't win, nobody pays attention to the others."
Paul
Winters
Age: 54
Education: Bachelor's and master's degrees, University of
Akron
Why honored: For leading Wayne State's football team to the
Division II national championship game