Lashley named offensive coordinator at FWB

FORT WALTON BEACH — Chad Lashley is back at work.

Just days removed from his resignation as the head football coach at Navarre High School, Lashley resurfaced at Fort Walton Beach High School on Wednesday, where the 2010 Daily News’ big school Coach of the Year joined the Vikings’ staff as its offensive coordinator.

“It all just kind of fell into place,” Fort Walton Beach Athletic Director/head football coach Mike Owens said. “It’s like it was meant to be.”

According to Owens, Fort Walton Beach was left with a teaching and coaching vacancy following the resignation of Daniel Griffin, who left the school to accept a position at Wright Elementary School. Owens said Lashley will slide into both vacancies, effective immediately.

As for the impact he expected of the Vikings’ new offensive coordinator, Owens referred to Lashley as being “the total package.”

“He’s a very energetic guy that will definitely give us a new outlook, a new way of doing things,” Owens said. “He fits everything I would want as someone that cares about the kids, is an extremely hard worker, very organized and has been successful.

“I couldn’t ask for anybody better.”

Lashley guided Navarre to a 22-21 record in four seasons as head coach, including a 2010 season that saw the Raiders establish a new standard for the program. Navarre’s 11-2 season marked the highest win total by any Raider football team, and its win over arch-rival Pace marked the school’s first-ever regular-season victory over the school. Navarre also earned its first-ever playoff win on its way to the Class 4A regional final.

Even upon his resignation from Navarre, Lashley spoke of his desire to remain in coaching, but in a lesser capacity so he could free up more time to spend with his wife and three young children. His new assignment offers a chance at balance.

“I’ll be able to focus on offense and work extremely hard on that, but my role won’t be in dealing with the Quarterback Club or Touchdown Club or planning a camp … I’ll be able to focus on a third of the game,” Lashley said. “Obviously, I’m going to work long hours, but when I come home I can turn off part of it.

“In high school football, there’s only so many ways you can prepare for third-and-10.”

As an offensive coordinator at Navarre from 2005-07, the Raiders saw their scoring average increase each season — from 15.9 points in ’05 to 22.6 points in ’06 to 26 points in ’07. That trend continued after Lashley took over as head coach in 2008.

During his first season, Navarre averaged just 14 points per game on its way to a 3-8 finish. Then, in 2009, the Raiders averaged 17.3 points and finished the season 3-8. But in 2010 the Raiders offense looked altogether different, averaging 32.2 points per game.

Even last season, when the Raiders’ finished 5-5 and narrowly missed out on a second consecutive postseason appearance, offense wasn’t a problem. Navarre had little trouble finding the end zone, averaging 32.5 points per contest, but it was a defense that allowed 30.5 points per game that seemed to handcuff the Raiders all season.

“He’s passionate about (offense),” Owens said. “He loves offensive football and scheming. I think we needed that (change). We’ve been struggling the last couple of years on offense.”

Follow Travis Downey on Twitter: @TravisDnwfdn