PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The Comstock Park High School varsity boys basketball coach has died, according to school officials.

Kendra Faustin, CPHS assistant principal and athletic director, confirmed to News 8 that Tyler Edwards died of suspected cardiac arrest. He was 27 and had worked as a coach there for one year.

“Words cannot express the loss we feel by the passing of Coach Tyler Edwards. Tyler invested wholeheartedly in our kids, families and community. His genuine care for others and his infectious smile will live forever in the many lives he touched. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Edwards Family and his girlfriend, Ms. Kayla Brooks,” Faustin said in a statement.

Brooks told News 8 that Edwards would have turned 28 years old next week on Aug. 26.

“There are no words for this kind of devastation. Tyler was hands down the most amazing person this world had to offer. Just his smile alone could light up the darkest room. His family, friends and I will love and miss him dearly, he will remain forever in all of our hearts,” said Brooks in a statement.

The school noted it has grief counseling available for students.

  • (Courtesy Kayla Brooks)
  • (Courtesy Kayla Brooks)
  • (Courtesy Kayla Brooks)
  • (Courtesy Kayla Brooks)
  • An undated courtesy photo of Tyler Edwards. (Courtesy Kayla Brooks)
    An undated courtesy photo of Tyler Edwards. (Courtesy Kayla Brooks)

Kevin Gamble Jr., his assistant coach at Comstock Park High School and close friend, said the school held a memorial Monday night. 

“He was just the light in the room for everybody. He took care of those kids. He just loved them so much and he wanted to see them do the best. He wanted to see them succeed,” Gamble Jr. said. 

Edwards was from Flint and graduated from Swartz Creek High School before playing basketball for Alma College, where he ended up working as an assistant coach.

Sam Hargraves was Alma’s head coach at the time and hired Edwards as his assistant.     

“He should have been at my funeral making fun of me and you know talking about what a bad coach I was instead of us now having to be at his,” Hargraves said. “It’s just such a shock when it happens to somebody so young. Had so much of his life left to give.”

Lyndsey Nikodemski and Nick LoMonaco were among a group of friends who gathered to share stories of the impact Edwards made. 

“Ty made everyone feel special whether it was a teammate, his own coach, all of his kids. Everyone was special to Ty and you can’t say that about a lot of people,” Nikodemski said.

“He has like 500 best friends and you could meet him one time and you’ll leave having the most positive outlook on life. He was never negative. He was always positive,” LoMonaco said.