Thomas named first Horizon High coach
Dennis Thomas got an early birthday gift Friday when he was named the head football coach at Horizon High School, which will open this fall to relieve crowding at Windermere High.
Horizon High announced the decision on social media, “Horizon Athletics is proud to announce Dennis Thomas as the new head football coach for the Hawks. Coach Thomas brings a wealth of knowledge to the Hawks sidelines after previously serving as the head coach at Lyman and Celebration High Schools over the past eight seasons. Please join us in welcoming Coach to the Horizon West community.”
Thomas, who turned 40 years old Saturday, also posted to his Facebook account.
“I want to thank Principal Laura Beusse and Athletic Director Scott Drabczyk for this great opportunity,” Thomas wrote. “I am very excited and ready to work hard for the kids and community of Horizon High School. We will Elevate the Pursuit! #ETP Go Hawks!”
Thomas most recently was head coach at Lyman High in Longwood, and prior to that he was the head coach at Celebration High, where he led the team to its only winning football season in 2015.
Thomas has been part of a start-up program before when he helped first head coach Greg Dailer at Ocoee High in 2005.
The Horizon position is part of one of two new schools in Orange County that will open in August. Lake Buena Vista is the other, and the school hired former St. Cloud assistant Joe Rienzi to lead the program.
Several head coaching positions in Central Florida were filled this week.
Oviedo filled its vacancy left by the departure of Kolby Tackett after one season. Orlando Boone offensive coordinator Greg Odierno will take over for the Lions. Celebration High hired former Lake Gibson defensive coordinator Rich Pringle to replace Joel Smeenge, and Windermere High hired former Freedom assistant Eric Olson. Cypress Creek and Freedom are still looking to fill head coaching vacancies.