RUSKIN – Out of the handful of vacant football coaching positions that were on Hillsborough County’s map this offseason, Keith Chattin knew right where he wanted to be: Lennard High School.

Chattin, whose Longhorns are coming off of a 2-8 campaign, says he saw a distinct opportunity to restructure a program that has had its share of ups and downs.

“First and foremost, we have to adjust the thought process of the kids,” Chatin said. “When you lose so many games, the easy thing to do is accept it and learn to live with it. I have to change their mentality and get them believing in each other, trusting the coaches and implementing a work ethic in the weight room and on the practice field that is conducive to winning football.”

While Lennard saw some light at the end of the tunnel in 2010 after going 6-5 under George Edington, the program quickly collapsed last season forcing the school to make a coaching change. Chattin says he plans to tweak the team across the board and wants to see more consistancy.

 “They have a leader now that will work them extremely hard, motivate them , and give them the correct guidance and structure they need to be productive in the classroom as well as the playing field,” Chattin said. “Hard work and committment are the key issues going forward. … Once we get those issues sorted we will be fine.”

So far the school administration has been more than supportive of the man they hired. In fact, Chattin expresses is pleasure in working together with them to get the Longhorns back to being competitive.

“The administration has been more than gracious and we work very well together,” Chattin said. “We all have a common goal og making this program better and in time we will get that accomplished.”

Chattin says he will have his complete coaching staff compiled in the next few weeks.

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