Royals Athletics Coaching Staff
The coaching staff at The First Academy is comprised of professional men and women who choose to use their God-given gifts to nurture young athletes in mind, body, and spirit.
It is the desire of every coach at The First Academy to use interscholastic sports as a means of developing champions for Christ.
Our Coaches will -
- Build relationships with players and parents (rules without relationship build
contempt)
- Encourage good citizenship and academics
- Teach the team concept coupled with strong competition
- Present teams prepared to play
- Do all these things with the primary goal of bringing honor to the Lord
PATRICK BARRETT
Athletic Director (6th - 12th Grade)
407-206-8636 PatrickBarrett@thefirstacademy.org
Personal Bio:
Patrick Barrett joined The First Academy in 2010 after serving as an Athletic Director in Tampa, Florida for two years. He served for two years as the Director of Strategic Initiatives before transitioning into the athletic department in 2013. Patrick has eight years of interscholastic and collegiate athletic experience and was awarded two baseball scholarships, one from Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida and another from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida. He also holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Central Florida.
Patrick is husband to Melanie and the proud father of two daughters, Lydia Grace and Elianna Joy. His athletic experience and proven leadership make him a welcome addition to The First Academy leadership team.
Chris Mayberry
Head Coach, Varsity Boys Basketball
ChrisMayberry@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
Coming Soon...
Degrees:
Bryan College BS in Physical Education, Minor in Bible,
United States Sports Academy MS Sport Management Coaching
Achievements:
- 2012 and 2013 TAPPS 5A State Champions
- City of Palms Champions
- 2011 FHSAA State Final Appearance
- Three FHSAA Regional Championships
- Four FHSAA District Championships
Personal Achievements:
- 2006 FHSAA Class 2A Coach of the Year
- Six-time FHSAA District Coach of the Year
- NAIA National Scholar Athlete
- NAIA All-Conference
- NCCAA All-American
Educational Experience:
- The First Academy Middle School Assistant Principal
- The First Academy Director of Athletics
- The First Academy Assistant Director of Athletics
TIM COVEY
Head Coach, Varsity Softball
407-206-8633 TimCovey@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
BA Psychology and Physical Education, Dordt College
MA Education, University of South Florida
Coaching Experience:
Career:
10 years as softball coach
7 years as high school varsity head coach
1 year as college varsity head coach
TFA:
1st year
Overall Wins:
100 wins as varsity head coach
Coaching Achievements:
-3 District Championships (high school)
-2 Times to Regional Finals (2007 and 2008)
-16 win turnaround in only year as college head coach (2009)
-State ranked #1 team 2007
Personal Achievements:
- Great Plains Athletic Conference College Coach of the Year (2009)
- Letter winner Baseball Dordt College
Other: Director of Academic Services
LINDSEY HURLEBAUS
Head Coach, Varsity Girls Volleyball,
Assistant Coach, Middle School Softball
407-206-8715 LindseyHurlebaus@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
BS, Mathematics
Florida Southern College
Coaching Experience:
Career: 4 years
TFA: 2 years
Coaching Achievements
Team won 3A Distract Championship, Regional Championship, State Championship
Other: Middle School Math
ELISA MORAN
Head Coach, Varsity Swimming & Diving
407-206-8740 ElisaJames@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
BA, French - Syracuse University
MA, French Literature - Bowling Green State University
Coaching Experience:
Career: 3 years
TFA: 3 years
Personal Achievements:
- 4-year Letter Winner, Syracuse University (Swimming)
- Syrucuse University Athlete of the Month Recipient
Other: Upper School French
LEROY KINARD
Head Coach, Varsity Football
Head Coach, Weightlifting
407-206-8851 LeroyKinard@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
BS, Physical Education
Liberty University
Coaching Experience:
Career: 15 years
TFA: 9 years
TFA Head Coach: 5 years
Coaching Achievements:
- District Championship, 2007, 2008, 2011
- Best Record in School History (9-1) 2008
- Regular Season Coaching Record (7-3, 9-1, 2-8, 9-1, 8-2)
Personal Achievements:
- Pre-Season All-American, Liberty University
- Running Back, Liberty University
- Running Back, New York Jets
Other: Upper School Physical Education
JANE KNUTH
Assistant Coach, Varsity Softball
Assistant Coach, Volleyball
407-206-8696 JaneKnuth@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
BS, Physical Education
University of Florida
Coaching Experience:
Career: 15 years
TFA: 12 years
Coaching Achievements:
- State Champions, Girls Basketball Assistant Coach, 2006, 2007
- State Champions, Volleyball Assistant Coach, 2008, 2010, 2011
Personal Achievements:
- Softball Scholarship, Valencia Community College and University of Florida
- Hall of Fame, West Orange High School
Other: Middle School Physical Education and Bible
KACEY KOWARS
Head Coach, Boys Golf
407-206-8789 KaceyKowars@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
BA, Ohio State University
Coaching Experience:
Career: 3 years
TFA: 3 years
Other: Upper School English
HARRIET LEHNHOFF
Assistant Coach, Varsity Volleyball
407-206-8747 HarrietLehnhoff@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
BS, Biology
Mississippi College
Coaching Experience:
Career: 18 years
TFA: 9 years
Coaching Achievements:
- State Champions, Volleyball Assistant Coach, 2008, 2011
Personal Achievements:
- 4-year Letter Winner, Mississippi College (Volleyball)
- Cayman Island National Volleyball Team, Member
- Upper School Christian Educator of the Year, 2007-2008
Other: Upper School Science
KELLY LESLIE
Head Coach, Varsity Cheerleading
407-206-8730 KellyLeslie@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
BS, Biology Education
Penn State University
Coaching Experience:
Career: 12 years
TFA: 2 years
Coaching Achievements:
- Two-time State Champions, Dr. Phillips H.S.
- 2nd in the Nation, 2010
- TFA 4th in state in their first year
Personal Achievements:
- UCA Camp Instructor
- Varsity Cheerleading Captain, Penn State University
Other: Upper School Science
EARL NOFFSINGER
Head Coach, Girls Golf
Head Coach, Boys & Girls Tennis
407-206-8745 EarlNoffsinger@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
BA - Northwestern College
MDiv - Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
Coaching Experience:
Career: 5 years
TFA: 5 years
Team Achievements:
- District Champions, Girls Golf, 2004, 2005
- State Finals, Girls Golf, 2004, 2005
Personal Achievements:
- 4-year Letter Winner, Northwestern College (Golf)
Other: Upper School Latin
DAVE OLIVER
Director of Sports Performance
Head Coach, Varsity Lacrosse
407-206-8694 DavidOliver@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
BS - University of Wisconsin-Madison
Certifications: ATC-L, CSCS
Coaching Experience:
Career: 18 years
TFA: 6 years
Coaching Achievements:
- District Champions, Football, Assistant Coach, 2001, 2007, 2008
- 12 Invidual State Qualifiers, Weightlifting
- 31-9 Lacrosse Record; Academic State Champ Team award
- Coach of the Year 2010-2011
Personal Achievements:
- Letter Winner, Hofstra University (Football)
- Orlando Magic Strength & Conditioning Coach, 1991-1997, NBA Finals - 1995
- U.S. Women's Soccer & Basketball Strength & Conditioning Coach, 1997-2000
- Hall of Fame, Longwood H.S.
- Upper School Christian Educator of the Year, 2008-2009
Other: Upper School Health Sciences
STEVE SAGRAVES
Head Coach, Boys & Girls Cross Country
Head Coach, Varsity Baseball
407-206-8695 SteveSagraves@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
BA, Cedarville University
Coaching Experience:
Career: 25 years
TFA: 16 years
Coaching Achievements:
- State Final Four, Baseball Assistant Coach, 1997
- 8 District Championships, Baseball Assistant Coach
Personal Achievements:
- Lettered in Baseball at Cedarville University
- FACA District Baseball Coach of the Year, 1998
- Male Athlete of the Year, Cedarville University, 1984
Other: K-5 Lower School Physical Education
STEVE SCHULTZ
Head Coach, Middle School Football
407-206-8684 SteveSchultz@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
BS, Physical Education
Appalachian State University
Coaching Experience:
Career: 10 years
TFA: 3 years
Coaching Achievements:
- State Champions, Throws Coach, Richmond Senior H.S.
Personal Achievements:
- All Conference Shot Put, Appalachian State University
Other: Lower School Physical Education
BRANDON HAZZARD
Asst Coach, Varsity Soccer
407-206-8676 BrandonHazzard@thefirstacademy.org
Degrees:
BS, Elementary Education
Campbellsville University
Coaching Experience:
Career: 11 years
TFA: 1 years
Coaching Achievements:
9 years in baseball, including:
- 1 year Varsity Asst Baseball Coach
- 8 years JH/JV Head Baseball Coach
4 years in football, including:
- 2 years Varsity Football Asst Coach
- 2 years JH/JV Football Asst Coach
9 years in soccer, including:
- 5 years Boys Varsity Soccer Asst Coach
- 2 years Boys JH Head Soccer Coach
- 2 years Girls JH Head Soccer Coach
3 years in cheerleading, including:
- 2 years JH Girls Head Cheer Coach
- 1 year Varsity Coed Cheer Asst Coach