Lennard hires Chattin after he makes the right call

Posted Jan 17, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Jan 17, 2012 at 03:33 PM

When Lennard High had its four finalists for the position of Longhorns head foootball coach, they were each asked to draw up a play for this scenario:

You’re in a district game, down 14-10 in the fourth quarter, with the ball on the 25-yard line. It’s fourth down and 8 yards to go with one time out and 25 seconds remaining. You’re facing a stacked defense in cover 2. What play do you call?

When all of the finalists had been interviewed and asked that question, Lennard athletic director John Guarisco says Keith Chattin, an offensive line coach and running game coordinator for Gainesville’s Buchholz High last season, responded with ease and drew up the play in a matter of moments.

“We were really impressed with his Xs and Os and how he handled the whole interview process,” Guarisco said. “We were looking for someone who was totally new, with fresh ideas and enthusiasm and a strong coaching background, and he (Chattin) fit all those and more.”

“He was very energetic and confident in his abilities,” said Lennard principal Craig Hortsman. “We think he’ll be a very good fit for our kids and our program.”

Chattin replaces George Edington, who resigned Nov. 29 after going 14-25 in four seasons at Lennard. Last fall, the Longhorns were 2-8 but played in one of the state’s toughest football districts, Class 5A-8, which features strong programs like Jesuit, Robinson and Spoto.

Guarisco said Chattin’s resume was aided by his military background in the U.S. Army. With that, Guarisco said, the program will be assured of discipline.

Interestingly, Guarisco said the school received 25-30 applicants but only three came from Hillsborough County. Among those were Alonso assistant coach Josh Webber, the only local who made the final four. The remainder of the applications came from out of town and several were from out of state, Guarisco said. Despite the school’s location, Guarisco said they received no applicants from the Bradenton-Manatee area.

As part of the Buchholz staff last year, Chattin saw the Bobcats go 1-9, with the squad’s only win coming in the final week of the season.

Prior to his one season with the Bobcats, Chattin was an assistant at five other Georgia schools over the course of eight years: Winder Barrow, Walnut Grove, Worth County, St. Pius X and Fitzgerald. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Troy State and played his prep football at Worth County.

The biggest hurdle Chattin faces now is how to get on Lennard’s teaching staff. The school does not have any opening in his area of certification (physical education and special education). Hortsman said he will attempt to work something out in oder to get Chattin to Lennard before the start of spring drills. If not, Chattin will likely have to commute several days a week to Ruskin to oversee the program.