Lance Fendley has plenty of coaching experience despite entering just his eighth year in the business.
The new Bethlehem Christian Academy offensive coordinator has coached at the college level, the high school level and even in Boys and Girls Club leagues.
Now Fendley hopes to lend a hand in building the Knights football program. That opportunity is what was most appealing to him.
“I like the fact we are building from the ground up,” Fendley said. “I look forward to working with Coach (Don) Garmon and his staff. One day, I’d like to look back and say I helped get this thing started.”
Fendley was running backs coach at Valdosta State University in 2011 after working as a graduate assistant the previous year. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Fendley also coached at Winder-Barrow High School in 2009 and has been head coach of Valwood, a member of the GISA like Bethlehem Christian Academy.
“We are going to play the first 10-game football schedule in program history,” Fendley said. “It’s going to be a bit of culture shock for some. However, the school is strongly behind the entire athletic department.”
Fendley will also coach the Knights special teams this fall.
“This has been an interesting process,” Fendley said. “I’ve already been through two evening workouts with the players. Our numbers will be our biggest enemy this season, but we are looking to continue to grow.”
As BCA continues to see its athletic program take progressive steps, Fendley, a graduate of Lowndes County High School, said he is looking at the possibility of coaching track this spring.
Defensive coordinator Nick Pou said he welcomed the addition of Fendley to the school and football coaching staff.
“When I heard he was looking for a spot somewhere, I told our school officials we had to get him,” Pou said. “He’s very intense and will bring a great deal to the program. This is a big step for football at BCA.”
The Knights are currently involved in summer workouts and will begin official preseason practice July 31. Home football games for the program will be played at the old Monroe Area High School field in Walton County. The regular season opener is set for Aug. 31.
