Andrew Giermak

Tommy Austin will be returning home, bringing a resume filled with a wide range of high school and collegiate coaching experience, to take the reigns of the Lakeland High School football program.

The announcement naming Austin as the Cavaliers’ new head coach was released by Lakeland Thursday morning.

Prior to accepting the position, Austin was the head football coach at Kecoughtan High School in Hampton, where he had been since 2001. He has also coached at Tidewater Academy, Isle of Wight Academy, and Windsor High School. Austin has worked as defensive coordinator at The Newport News Apprentice School.

Last season, Kecoughtan finished with a 7-3 record.

Austin has compiled an 87-74 record throughout his head coaching career.

Austin is a product of Suffolk Public Schools, graduating from Suffolk High School.  He is a 1987 graduate from North Carolina State where he earned a degree in History. Austin resides in Suffolk with his wife and two daughters.

Lakeland Principal Thomas Whitley said, “Coach Austin brings a great deal of experience and expertise to our program.  We look forward to fostering a relationship that will lead to success for the Lakeland High School football program.”

Austin will continue teaching at Kecoughtan through the end of the school year, but is expected to join the Cavaliers later this month for spring workouts.