Marquette MI – April 30th, 2026 – On Monday, Ewen-Trout Creek boys basketball coach Brad Besonen announced his retirement after 18 seasons of leading the Panthers program. According to an E-TC Athletics Booster Club Facebook post, Besonen said in his resignation letter that he plans to spend more time with his family, including helping with the girls basketball program, supporting his daughters’ basketball journeys, and giving back to the game as an official.
During his tenure, Besonen built Ewen-Trout Creek into one of the Upper Peninsula’s most consistent contenders, guiding the Panthers to multiple deep playoff runs, six district championships, and establishing a culture of sustained success.
His defining moment came during the 2022 season, when he led E-TC to the Breslin Center in East Lansing to compete for the Division 4 state championship. The Panthers finished a memorable 23-4 season before falling in overtime to Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian, 56-45, in a hard-fought title game.
That championship run was fueled by standout guard Jaden Borseth, who earned Mr. U.P. Player of the Year honors after averaging 18 points and five rebounds per game. The season also brought major recognition to the program, as Besonen was named Coach of the Year while Ewen-Trout Creek was honored as Regional Team of the Year.
According to Jason Juno, Besonen closes his 18-year coaching career with a 275-128 overall record, a 68 percent winning percentage, and a 29-17 postseason mark.
A proud Ewen-Trout Creek graduate, Besonen came full circle by spending nearly two decades teaching and coaching at the school he once attended. He leaves behind a lasting legacy in Ewen, defined by championship-level success, player development, and a program that consistently competed among the best small-school teams in Michigan.
