Marquette, MI – May 3rd, 2026 – Last month, longtime Gogebic Community College Men’s basketball coach, Dennis Mackey, announced he will retire. He had spent 38 seasons leading the Samsons program.
A native of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Mackey was a standout multi-sport athlete at Ewen-Trout Creek before continuing his basketball career at Gogebic from 1982 to 1984. After graduating from Northern Michigan University, he returned to Ironwood in 1988 to begin his coaching career as the head women’s basketball coach, while also serving as a part-time instructor. Mackey led the women’s program for 18 seasons, compiling a 256–227 record. During that stretch, he guided the Samsons to two Region XIII championships and a berth in the NJCAA National Tournament. He later served as the college’s athletic director from 2006 to 2013, continuing to shape the success of Gogebic athletics.
Following his time as athletic director, Mackey transitioned to the men’s basketball program, where he spent the next 19 seasons. He posted a 277–263 record, highlighted by Region XIII championships in 2011 and 2013. Over the course of his 38-year career, Mackey earned Region XIII Coach of the Year honors three times and reached a major milestone during the 2024–25 season, securing his 500th career victory. Across nearly four decades, he coached in more than 1,000 games and mentored over 300 student-athletes.
Known for his motto, “Once a Samson, always a Samson,” Mackey embodied a deep and lasting commitment to Gogebic Community College, pairing his passion for the game with a genuine appreciation for the players he coached. Beyond basketball, he played a key role in fundraising efforts, helping generate approximately $400,000 in support of student-athlete scholarships. His legacy was further cemented when the court inside the Lindquist Student and Conference Center was renamed in his honor, recognizing his decades of service as a coach, instructor, and administrator.
Following Mackey’s retirement, Gogebic has turned to a familiar face to lead the program. Former Samson player, Denver Sharrow, who played under Mackey (2016–2018), will take over as head coach of the men’s team after spending the past three seasons leading the women’s program. With Sharrow making the move to the men’s side, Gogebic Community College has now begun its search for the next leader of its women’s basketball program, marking the start of a new chapter for Samsons basketball.
