December 18, 2024
Leesburg High Hires Former NFL Star Kenard Lang As Head Football Coach
By Kyle Coppola
Leesburg High Hires Former NFL Star Kenard Lang As Head Football Coach
Just a day after Frank Scott stepped down as Leesburg High School’s head football coach, the program has found its new leader. The Jackets are ready for a fresh start under the guidance of former NFL star and seasoned coach Kenard Lang. This marks the fourth coaching change in four years, but with Coach Lang’s pedigree and proven track record, the excitement around the program high.
In 2023, Coach Frank Scott led the Jackets to a respectable 6-5 record—an admirable season for sure. His departed left many wondering what the future held for the team. However, in an era in which coaching changes happen more frequently, Leesburg High School has now landed a coach with not only the experience but the championship pedigree to help guide the team back to prominence.
Enter Kenard Lang: From NFL Star to High School Head Coach
Kenard Lang’s impressive resume speaks volumes about the caliber of coach the Jackets are getting. A former FHSAA State Champion, NCAA All-American, and NFL First-Round pick (10th overall), Lang’s background in football is unmatched. With 10 years of professional experience as an NFL defensive lineman, Lang knows what it takes to succeed at the highest levels. But it’s his two decades of coaching experience at both the high school and college levels that truly set him apart.
The hire of Coach Lang comes after several years of coaching changes for the Leesburg football program. In the past three seasons, the Jackets have cycled through three head coaches, each bringing their own unique approach and having success but struggling to build their program long-term. But with Lang in charge, the hope is that the program will find its footing once and for all.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
