Former Father Ryan coach Bruce Lussier has taken an assistant coaching job at Brentwood Academy.
Former Father Ryan coach Bruce Lussier announced his retirement last December, seemingly bringing an end to a coaching career that spanned more than four decades.
As it turns out, Lussier wasn’t quite ready to hang up his whistle.
“All the things that a head-coaching position requires in this day and age started to grind on me,” Lussier said. “But I wasn’t ready to get off the field.”
Lussier, who compiled a 48-52 record in 11 seasons with the Irish, recently accepted an assistant coaching position at former Division II-AA rival Brentwood Academy, where he will coach the defending state champion Eagles’ inside linebackers.
“(Brentwood Academy head coach) Cody (White) and I hooked up and he was looking for some help so here we are,” said Lussier, who also spent six years at Oak Ridge High School (1999-2004), where he guided the Wildcats to a 62-14 record with two state semifinal appearances. “They’re a great bunch of kids, and they’ve made me feel at home at Brentwood Academy.”
RELATED:Stevens hobbled as Oakland repeats Titans 7-on-7 title
“I’ve always admired the way that (Father Ryan) played defense — they’ve always played us tough,” White. “He’s a defensive guy, he’s still got a lot of fire in him and he loves the game. I think the kids have responded well. He’s a student of the game and an old-school guy. He fits in really well with our staff.”
Father Ryan AD steps down: Pat Lawson, who has served as Father Ryan’s athletic director since 2008, will be stepping down from the position, effective July 22.
John Sneed has been named Father Ryan’s interim athletic director
“These last eight years have provided fantastic opportunities for me, and as an alumnus and legacy of the school I am humbled and grateful to have played a role in such an amazing period at Father Ryan,” Lawson said in a statement.
Assistant athletic director and longtime Father Ryan coach John Sneed will serve as the school’s interim athletic director.
“I am confident that the program is in a very good place in terms of its coaches and its plans, and that John will do an excellent job for our school,” Lawson added. “That makes this a good time for me to step down and explore other opportunities.”
Father Ryan hired former Centennial coach Brian Rector to lead its football program in February, and, a little less than three months later, alumnus and former Ensworth coach Ann Mullins was named the school’s head volleyball coach.
Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.