Michigan State Police are looking into a reported assault connected to the Gull Lake High School varsity football program.
According to MSP 6th District Special Lieutenant Pat Agema, the incident is said to have taken place at a football camp held in Oceana County back in June.
State police stepped in because the case stretches across multiple jurisdictions. For now, investigators are keeping details close to the vest. Agema said no further information, including anything about potential suspects, will be shared while the probe is active.
Coach Placed on Leave Amid Investigation
Gull Lake’s head varsity football coach, Jalon Simpson, has been placed on paid, non-disciplinary leave while the matter is reviewed. Simpson acknowledged his leave status but said he was limited in what he could say publicly given the ongoing investigation.
Simpson expressed hope that the situation would be resolved soon, that any lessons would be learned, and that justice would be served so he could return to his coaching duties. He spoke about wanting to get back to mentoring student athletes and continuing the program’s community-focused culture.
Gull Lake Community Schools has been notably tight-lipped on the issue. When News Channel 3 asked Superintendent Dan Bordner whether an internal investigation was underway involving the team, and when the public might expect more information, the district declined to comment beyond citing student safety as its top priority.
That response mirrored a statement given roughly ten days earlier to a similar inquiry. It also remains unclear whether the district is running its own separate investigation, as that question has gone unanswered as well.
What Happens Next
The MSP 6th District post in Paw Paw is heading up the early stages of the investigation, working alongside authorities in Kalamazoo County.
Once that portion wraps up, the findings will be handed to the MSP 6th District post in Hart, which will then forward everything to prosecutors. From there, the Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will decide whether any criminal charges are warranted.
Meanwhile, Gull Lake Community Schools has a special Board of Education meeting scheduled for Monday, though the posted agenda does not indicate what topics will be addressed. This remains a developing situation, and updates are expected as more details become available.
