With less than three weeks until fall practice opens, Lake Howell is looking for a new football coach.
Tom Oliver, who spent the last six seasons as the Silver Hawks coach, stepped down last week to transition into an administrative role with the school.
“The timing is a surprise,” Lake Howell athletic director Danya Harris said. “It’s an awesome opportunity for Tom and a great career move. It is a plus that he’s still able to be a part of the Lake Howell community.”
Harris posted the job last Thursday and said she received about 40 resumes before applications closed Wednesday.
“It’s a little stressful but we’ve put a decent search out there and we hope to make a decision soon,” Harris said. “We’ll basically be interviewing until we find the right guy.
“We’ve been setting up interviews. If we have to interview 2 or 10, we’ll interview the candidates that are qualified.”
With fall practice set to begin Aug. 4, Harris understands the urgency of making a hire.
“If we could have the coach hired tomorrow, we would do that,” she said. “If we bring someone in and we feel they’re the right guy, we’re going to go with it.”
The Silver Hawks finished 5-5 last year and haven’t produced a winning season since 1996.
Harris said Oliver accepted the position last week and will serve as a dean in addition to overseeing facilities. In six seasons, Oliver compiled a 16-44 record.
Austin Lyon can be reached at austin.lyon@bhsn.com. Follow him on Twitter, @AustinRLyon