About the Michigan Arrows

The Michigan Arrows are a professional football team based in the greater Detroit area, competing in the Continental Football League (CoFL) Northern Division starting in the 2026 season. Reviving a historic name from Michigan football, the Arrows bring hard-nosed, blue-collar professional football back to the Wolverine State.

Led by Head Coach and General Manager Steve Kazor, the team honors the grit and legacy of the original 1968 Michigan Arrows while building a modern franchise rooted in community, opportunity, and regional pride. The Arrows join division rivals like the Cincinnati Dukes and Ohio Valley Ironmen, with a mission to deliver exciting, authentic football for Michigan fans.

With a veteran coaching staff featuring Defensive Coach Thomas “Pepper” Johnson and Offensive Coordinator Les Koenning, the Arrows are focused on building a tough, championship-caliber team that reflects the resilience of Michigan football.

The Michigan Arrows name carries deep roots in professional football. The franchise traces its origins to the early 1960s as the Macomb County Arrows and later the Pontiac Arrows in the Midwest Football League, where the team won multiple championships and embodied the tough, competitive spirit of Michigan.

In 1968, the team joined the original Continental Football League (CoFL) — a developmental minor league launched in 1965 to provide opportunities for players and coaches aiming for the NFL. The Arrows played in the Atlantic Division as a farm team of the Detroit Lions, hosting home games at University of Detroit Stadium and competing directly in the Lions’ market. Despite a challenging season, the team left its mark by featuring Garo Yepremian, the soccer-style kicker and punter who went on to star for the Miami Dolphins, winning Super Bowl VII and becoming one of the most successful kickers of his era.

The original CoFL operated until 1969. After one season, the Michigan Arrows relocated and rebranded before the league folded. Now revived for the modern CoFL era under the leadership of Head Coach and General Manager Steve Kazor, the Arrows honor that legacy while embracing a new chapter of summer professional football in Michigan.

The Michigan Arrows exist to bring authentic, hard-nosed professional football back to Michigan. We honor the legacy of the 1968 Arrows while building a competitive team that Michigan fans can rally behind.

Our vision is simple: play with toughness and discipline, execute with precision, and represent the grit and resilience of the state. We are dedicated to developing disciplined players, fostering strong fan engagement, and competing for championships in the CoFL — all while giving back to the communities that make Michigan football special.