Central Michigan coach Bonamego diagnosed with 'treatable' cancer

Jun 18, 2015 - 5:05 PM Mount Pleasant, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Central Michigan football coach John Bonamego announced Thursday he has a "treatable" form of cancer.

In a letter posted on the school's website, Bonamego said that he has cancer in his left tonsil.

"As I told our team, I WILL beat this," Bonamego wrote. "It was discovered early and is very treatable.

"An excellent team of doctors here in Mount Pleasant and in Ann Arbor are overseeing my care. While a diagnosis like this is always scary, I am blessed to have the love and support of my family and those around me -- including all of you. I know I will never be alone and for that I am very thankful."

Bonamego said he will continue his duties while he undergoes treatment.

"I'll make some adjustments such as attending fewer external events for a couple of months," he wrote. "As I've said many times since returning to CMU in February, we have one of the best staffs in the nation, and we will accomplish our goals together."

Bonamego, the special teams coach of the Detroit Lions the past two seasons, was named Central Michigan's head coach in February. He played for the Chippewas in the mid-1980s as a quarterback and wide receiver.

The Chippewas open the 2015 season on Sept. 3 against Oklahoma State.