COACH Z has been coaching at Walled Lake Western since 1994, when he joined the staff as offensive coordinator bringing with him the knowledge of the Wing-T offense. In 1996, he became the defensive coordinator, in that same year the Warriors went on to win the 1996 Class AA State Championship. In 1998 the Western program went through a transition year as Mike became the co-Head coach during Chuck Apaps final season at the helm for Western, together they guided the Warriors to a 8-1 season. The following year Coach Z became the Head Coach, leading Western to a 14-0 record and the 1999 Division 1 State Championship, the school’s second title in four years. This same year, the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association named Mike Division 1 Coach of the Year. During his very successful tenure at Western, Mike has not only become the all-time winningest coach in the history Walled Lake Schools but has also guided over 75 young men to play college football. Coach Zdebski is the only coach in Michigan history to lead two squads in All-Star games. First, in 2013 he led the East team to victory in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association East-West All Star Game by a final score of East 20 - West 3. Then, in 2014 he was named Head Coach for Team Michigan in the first annual Border All-Star Classic between Michigan and Ohio. Team Michigan was victorious 27 - 14.

Coach Zdebski was raised in Garden City by his parents Frank and Joyce. A graduate of Olivet College, he was an Academic All-American football player. Mike also holds a Master’s Degree from Michigan State University. Mr. Zdebski teaches math at Western and has been recognized for his teaching abilities with the “Who’s Who of Teaching Award” three times. Coach Z began his coaching career at Garden City High School and has also spent time at Berkley High before joining the Warriors.

Mike and his wife Wendy live on Wolverine Lake and have two sons, Brent (WLW class of '12) and Trevor and a dog, Jack.