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^ Dowung ui^ computer-rcb engaged,ariThese Ohioans Sure' I Aren't ‘Buckeyes'!Don and Merry Ann Nehlen are the new neighbors at 3619 Meadow Lane in Lodi Estates - along with son Dan, 17, and daughter Vicky, 15. Their arrival from Ohio last March was an exciting event for all true Biue Wolverine o football fans, because Don came here to take the job of b backfield coach under Bo Schembechler - and his arrival may signal a change to more diversity of attack for the ^ U-M teams.^ Bo and Don have known each other for years', andtheir friendship and respect for each other will be a real ^ plus for the football team’s future. Don came out of ^ Canton, Ohio, as the city’s outstanding high school athlete ^ in his senior year — played varsity football at Bowling Green State University, where Schembechler coached for several years — and quarterbacked the BGSU team to a winning season in 1957, before graduating in ’58.^ Don and Merry Ann have also known each other forb years, ever since third grade in Canton. They graduated ^ from high school together, and when Don went off to ^ Bowling Green, Merry Ann waited at Home, doingrelated work. In Don’s junior year the two were and in July ’58, shortly after college graduation, they married.That started an exciting life for the Nehlens. Don^ spent several years coaching high school teams in a number of Ohio cities. His successes at each school brought greater challenges and*greater opportunities --^ and always he, was, equal to the challenge. He moved into ^ college coaching when he was offered the backfield spot ^ with the University of Cincinnati. More success there -§*■ and the next job offer took him back to hiis alma mater,^ Bowling Green, as assistant coach. He served as assistant ^ for three years, then moved up to the head coach’s blt; position.Don wbrked as head football coach at BGSU for 9 years. Eight ‘ of ‘ those 9 were winning seasons for his teams, in fact, the former tiiree-sport “outstanding {v athlete” of his Canton prep days, is now the “24th 0 winningest football coach” in the entire college football ^ world.b The excitement of the job is easy to understand, with Don. But for Merry Ann? “We've had lots of travel,” says she. “1 hardly ever miss a ball game, ‘ unless it’s impossible for me to make it. It’s exciting, all right. I loveme young.”same time, Merry Ann admits that a coach’s*have lonely times. “There’s a lot of.yisiting awaySthat has to be done, especially during the after-spring ^ season, when the coaches get out on the road to size up ^ high school prospects. This year, though, when it could ^ have been* really lonesome for me in a new community, I really got to know what wonderful neighbors we’d gained ^ when we moved here to Saline. They have been just great ^ with their friendship and hospitality, and we do anorectal* them so very much. This has to be one of neighborhoods we’ve ever lived in.” b Don and Vicky Nehlen have found friendship at Saline High School too. “They’re fitting in very well,” says Merry Ann. Dan played jayvee basketball at Bowling Green High School and plans to try out for the Hornet varsity next fall, in his junior year. He has taken a job at ^ the University Goif Course in Ann Arbor, and will work b there fuli-time during the summer months. Vicky was a 0 freshman cheerleader at BGHS — and she plans to try out b for the squad here next week.u And how about the transition from Ohioan tob Michigander for the Nehlens?S “No transition at ail.” claims Merry Ann. “We’reboating and water skiing enthusiasts, so we’ve been coming to Michigan each summer for years.”“And to tell the truth, we’ve been Uhiversity of Michigan fans for about as long as we can remember. This is where we’ve wanted to be, and this is where we are.# 4O “We’re happy in Michigan and we’re happy to beb Saiinians!”sdo appreciate the nicest
Newspaper Details
Saline Reporter
Saline, Michigan, US
Wed, May 11, 1977
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
WV, USA 16 May 2020
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