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Jace Gandy saw an open door, and walked through it.
Gandy was announced as Flomaton’s head football coach Feb. 13, shortly after the Escambia County Board of Education’s regular meeting.
Prior to coming to FHS, Gandy had coaching stints at Spanish Fort (co-defensive coordinator), at Northview (Fla.) (defensive coordinator), at Tate, Fla., at Jay, Fla. and at W.S. Neal.
Gandy lives in the area, and was commuting every day to Spanish Fort.
“God’s got a plan because we were looking to move down there,” Gandy said. “And then this job came open, and I told my wife, I said, ‘You know, this is one that hasn’t come up in a long time.’ And it checks the boxes that that I was looking for as my first head coaching job.
“This is a strong community that loves football,” he said. “The administration is committed to success. They’ve won here in the past. They have tradition here. We have family ties in the area, and I just thought this was the perfect opportunity to take my first head coaching job.”
Gandy said he has had opportunities in the past to take on a head-coaching role, but it wasn’t until his recent stint at Spanish Fort when it solidified.
He said he observed four coaches who had been head coaches before, and how they handled things in a professional manner.
“They all encouraged me, including my current head coach, Chase Smith, at Spanish Fort,” Gandy said. “I was ready. And I don’t think you’re ever really ready, but as ready as I could have been. I’m extremely blessed because to have an opportunity like this at my age, you know, I don’t take that for granted for sure. And God’s got a plan for my life. I want to be very clear about that that He had to open the doors for this to happen.
“And I kept praying that if it wasn’t His will, it wouldn’t take place,” he added. “And He continued to open those doors, and kind of nudge me.”
Gandy said God put it on his heart that Flomaton was the right fit even when there were several other jobs open, including Northview, T.R. Miller and Escambia County.
Gandy added that he always admired how former FHS head football coach Doug Vickery ran the program.
“What a great opportunity to take over for a guy who won 130 games over a 19-year career and a state championship,” he said.
Gandy said his coaching philosophy centers around being relationship based.
“Trust is a big thing for me,” he said. “I’ve always been able to motivate players because I’m able to gain their trust because they know I care about them. They’re not going to leave every day without knowing that somebody loves them in this building.
“The vision for the program is that hopefully you’re practicing on Thanksgiving because when you’ve had a good year, you can give these kids something they can look back on and be proud of,” he added.
Gandy said he’s honored and thankful for the opportunity, adding his thanks to to principal Mark Harbison, Superintendent Dr. Michele Collier, Assistant Superintendent George Brown, Scott Hammond and the board.
“I’ve been around great players and great coaches in my career, but God has blessed me with opportunities that I’ve made the most of, and that’s kind of led me to here to Flomaton in this opportunity,” Gandy said. “I’m hoping to continue that. You know, it’s my job to showcase the players’ abilities, and get the best out of them.”