SAND HILLS — Lyle Messer isn’t trying to fill anyone’s shoes. He’s ready to walk in his own.
The 1997 Holmes County graduate was officially named Bozeman’s football coach on Friday. He succeeds Loren Tillman, who resigned in December after 14 years at the school and the past nine as varsity football coach. Messer became only the second football coach in school history and does so with a wealth of experience as an assistant.
Messer spent 11 seasons at Pine Forest in Pensacola and also had brief stops at Bratt Northview and his alma mater, where he was head boys basketball coach for one year in 2005. He’s been an assistant on both sides of the ball, which he said helped prepare him to be a head coach. He said Bozeman’s alignments will depend on personnel with a 5-2 likely on defense.
“I learned about schemes on both sides, learned how to coach, learned how to teach,” Messer said of his days in Pensacola. “I feel like I’ve paid my dues and this is a good opportunity.
“I’m excited and looking forward to the challenge and working with all the kids and the people here. It’s been a really welcoming place so far.”
Messer, 35, said he didn’t feel any pressure in replacing Tillman, who led Bozeman to two playoff appearances and a best record of 8-3 in 2012. Messer appreciates the groundwork Tillman provided for him to tread upon.
“Coach Tillman’s done a phenomenal job and you can tell the kids have been well-coached and have an enthusiasm about the game,” Messer said. “It’s not like I’m trying to make big changes. I’m going to build on the foundation he’s laid.”
Bozeman Principal Josh Balkom said Messer was his choice among three finalists for the position. Balkom said there were close to 30 complete applications for the job and a search committee whittled the group down to 10 before deciding on the finalists.
He said Messer immediately made an impact.
“He blew the committee away with his energy and his plan for the program,” Balkom said. “We have a great opportunity for him to continue where the program has been and take it to another level.
“He has three kids that will go to Bozeman. He’ll settle in and stay here a long time, which is good because I don’t want to have to go through this process every year.”
To that point, Messer said he wanted to find a place where he and his family could be comfortable. He’s maintained a Panhandle presence since leaving Bonifay and felt like Bozeman was home.
“Bay County is different than Escambia County, it appears as though the schools here are still community-oriented,” Messer said. “My desire was to get to a place where community was important. Sports at Bozeman are something to celebrate and Bay County seems to take care of their coaches.”