All hugs at LFO
Bo Campbell named Warriors' head football coach
Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe principal Terri Vandiver surprised her faculty by introducing them to the Warriors’ head football coach on Tuesday afternoon in the media center.
However, new head coach Bo Campbell needed no introduction to the faculty.
Vandiver said when it comes to the Red-and-White, Bo knows LFO football.
“We had close to 50 applicants,” she said. “We narrowed it down to four and I think the gentleman we chose will be one of the best things that has ever happened to LFO High School.”
Vandiver said she talked to a lot of teenagers, including football players, while making the decision. She said Campbell was “the perfect fit” based on their desires and needs for the program.
“I’m looking forward to our next adventure,” she said.
Campbell, who has spent the past three seasons serving as the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame School in Chattanooga, has been a teacher at the school for the past eight years. He spent the first five of those as an assistant football coach to former LFO head coach Todd Windham.
On Campbell’s first day on the job Tuesday, he was welcomed with opened arms by a crowd of more than 50 of his colleagues. Vandiver, among others, needed tissues to wipe the tears away.
“It’s been a long couple of weeks,” Campbell said. “I found out at 10 a.m. this morning and Mrs. Vandiver told me to keep it a secret. I didn’t even tell my brother. I think he called me 18 times.”
Campbell said he was “grateful for this opportunity.”
“My heart has kind of been divided in between two schools for a while,” he said. “It’s been a good thing in the fact that I’ve been able to continue to coach and help other kids develop as football players, but at the same time my heart was still here at LFO as a teacher.”
Campbell, who leads LFO’s work-based learning program, said he wanted to thank Notre Dame and its head coach Charles Fant for
everything they’ve done for him and his family. That includes his brother Jason Campbell, who has worked on the LFO faculty while coaching with his brother for the Irish. He will now serve as the Warriors’ offensive coordinator.
Campbell said he was humbled by the response of his coworkers, but not surprised. He said LFO is the place he’s always considered home and has many friends that are like family to him.
“I feel like we have a lot of support on the staff, administration and faculty,” he said. “It’s been a struggle back and forth because it felt like I was working two jobs. As a coach, I’m glad I’m going to get some more time with these kids.”
Campbell said his main goal is to “bring back the spirit to LFO.”
“I want to get the community, the student athletes and the parents more involved,” he said. “I want to see the stands packed on Friday night.”
Campbell said, “This is a great area and people love football. My goal is going to get out and about in the community and get people more excited about LFO football.”
Campbell said his job with the work program allows him to be outside the school doors quite a bit. He said he hopes to build a better relationship with middle school feeder programs and recreation associations.
“I want these people to know I’m here for them and here to help them,” Campbell said. “This isn’t just about being a head coach. It’s about the team that surrounds the coach.”
Campbell said he’s working to build his team of coaches that want the best for LFO and will help support him.
“I kind of have some ideas on people I would like to bring in,” he said. “The big thing for me is I want to surround myself with people that are on board with me and have the same common goals.”