sukup became the football coach and athletic director at union high school in grand rapids, michigan from 1942 to 1971. at union high, sukup ran the single wing offense he had learned from fritz crisler at michigan. in 1948, sukup led union high to an undefeated season and a class a state championship. upon his retirement in 1972, the michigan house of representatives passed a resolution of tribute to him. sukup died in january 1983 at grand rapids, michigan. he was posthumously inducted into the muskegon area sports hall of fame in 1990.