WMC Athletic Director Ryan Slack is excited that our program is in good hands, “Coach Canan will make a smooth transition in our program as he was our Boys Freshman coach this year and assisted our outgoing coach Kurt Gruppen with the Varsity team. He knows our players and will come in with knowledge of our program and a plan to move forward.”
Coach Canan is looking forward to his new role, “I am honored to take on the role as Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at Western Michigan Christian. WMC’s basketball program has always been a tradition of excellence, inspired by talented, hardworking, Christian athletes. I am excited to be a part of this program and to continue developing this winning culture at WMC. I am eager to do the work God has called me to as a coach; to mentor these young men and instill in them the life lessons and positivity that can be learned through the game of basketball.”
Justin began his high school coaching career as an Assistant Varsity Football Coach at Calvin Christian High School. After moving to Grand Haven in 2012, he served as Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at Grand Haven High School, while also assisting the Varsity basketball program. In Summer 2021, Justin became the Freshman Boys Basketball Coach at WMC, as well as assisting the Varsity team under Coach Gruppen. Justin is a graduate of Calvin Christian High School, where he played both basketball and football. Justin continued his athletic career at Grand Rapids Community College, where he continued playing basketball and football, graduating from GRCC Police Academy.
Since moving to Grand Haven, Justin has actively served the Tri-Cities community as a K9 Officer and Police Officer with Grand Haven Department of Public Safety. In his new role as Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at WMC, Justin is supported by his wife, Lindsay, and their two children, Reese (10) and James Brian (6), who attend Grand Haven Christian school. Justin and his family attend Harvest Church in Grand Haven.
Justin is well-positioned for success as WMC’s new Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, and he will continue the strong, Christ-centered basketball tradition and legacy at WMC.
Western Michigan Christian (WMC) High School and Middle School (7-12th) is located at 455 East Ellis Rd. Muskegon, including 355 students from 5 countries, 30 cities, and 75 churches. WMC is a member of West Michigan Christian Schools(WMCS), a collaborative system of five schools throughout the Lakeshore region, including Fremont Christian (PK-8), Grand Haven Christian (PK-8), Muskegon Christian (PK-6) and New Era Christian (PK-8). The WMCS system works under a “Better Together” philosophy, offering a top-quality PK-12 Christian Education experience and a full scope of academic and extracurricular programs. Please >> click here to contact WMCS.
