HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – A new era began for the Hattiesburg High School football program this week.
Kendall Lacey was introduced as the Tigers new head football coach.
“A lot of people say, “You know, man, Hattiesburg is a lot of pressure,’” Lacey said “But I like to use the term ‘pressure’ as a privilege.”
Lacey is a newcomer to Mississippi, but he’s no stranger to winning football programs.
He comes to Hattiesburg after spending two seasons at Valdosta (Georgia) High School as the team’s defensive coordinator.
They don’t call Valdosta “Titletown” for nothing, with the Wildcats program boasting 24 Georgia state football championships and nine national championships.
Just that short part of Lacey’s resume drew the interest of Hattiesburg Athletic Director Jermaine Brown.
“Being part of that culture, being part of that environment, big-time state of Georgia football is really what attracted us to him.” Brown said. “It kind of fits with what our vision is for our program here. He’s been a leader as a defensive coordinator, and associate head coach throughout his career.
We’re really excited to give him this opportunity as a head coach. He’s hungry, he’s excited, and we’re ready to go ahead and turn over the keys to him.”
In his two years as Valdosta’s DC, Lacey absorbed a great deal of knowledge from the Wildcats’ legendary head coach.
“I was trained and molded by one of the best coaches in the state, or in the best state, and also one of the best coaches in America, Sheldon Felton.” Lacey said. “Hattiesburg is one of the few schools he (Felton) said checked all the boxes. So, he said, ‘You know, this is something you should really pursue.’
“So, I put all my effort into getting this job. His leadership and ability showed me how to run a program and how to be successful. So, learning from here on his tutelage is something that really molded me and helped me to get to this position. I look forward to carrying on the things that he taught me on this level.”
Lacey takes over the Hattiesburg program for Tony Vance, who after 12 years retired as the Tigers all-time winningest coach.
The prestige that’s been built isn’t something Lacey is looking to change.
“The biggest thing was the tradition of Hattiesburg” Lacey said. “If you do your research in the state of Mississippi, this is one of the winningest programs in this state.
“So, I look forward to having the opportunity to lead this group and lead these guys, hopefully, to our first milestone of reaching that state championship. That’s my biggest goal. But also, it’s just making sure that we carry that tradition on of winning here at Hattiesburg High School.”
Hattiesburg will be Lacey’s first opportunity to lead a program as its head coach.
He says his vision for his football team is based around discipline.
“We’re going to live by our motto, D.A.T.E.” Lacey said. “We’re going to have great discipline, great attitudes, great toughness, and great effort. So if our kids buy in, which I know they will, to that motto and that slogan, I think we’ll take this program to the very next level.
“We have a bunch of great coaches that were on staff last year. I’m not in the business of firing people. I think us working together is going to be great for our program and keeping that continuity here so that we can keep going as a program.”
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This content is reposted from the source: https://www.wdam.com/2025/02/13/kendall-lacey-introduced-hattiesburg-highs-head-football-coach/
