Justin Filippelli enters his ninth season on the varsity coaching staff as the Running Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator, helping guide the program through a successful era that includes KLAA West Division (2021) and Conference Championships (2024, 2025), multiple MHSAA playoff appearances, and a 2024 District Championship. Filippelli was also nominated for the MHSFCA Leadership Alliance program in May 2022. A 2005 football alumnus of Canton High School, Filippelli earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Central Michigan University in 2009 and his Master’s Degree from Michigan State University in 2013. His extensive football background includes collegiate experience as an offensive student assistant at Central Michigan (2007–2009), where the Chippewas won two MAC Championships (2007, 2009) and the GMAC Bowl (2009), as well as serving as an operations and recruiting assistant for Michigan State University football from 2011 to 2013. His high school coaching experience includes serving as the JV offensive coordinator, defensive backs coach, and strength and conditioning coach at South Lyon High School in 2010 before joining Howell in 2018. Away from the gridiron, Justin works professionally as a Senior HR Business Partner for Trinity Health. Justin is married to his wife, Nichole—whom he describes as the epitome of a football coach’s wife—and they have three wonderful children: Joanna, Jordan, and Gianna.
“Be humble. Be hungry. And always be the hardest worker in the room.” – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson