At just 22 years old, Ryan Lozier takes over Lakota's football program
There’s going to be a slice of Clyde in Kansas.
Former Clyde quarterback Ryan Lozier is taking over the helm for Lakota football.
Make that a chunk of Clyde.
“Brotherhood,” Lozier said. “Clyde is one of the better programs in the area and has been and will be. That bond you build, we want to build that here. That blue collar we learned our whole lives.”
Lozier helped Clyde earn a state championship at quarterback in 2019. Returning assistants Gunner Golden and Will Lozier, along with newcomers Jack Morrison and Dustin Patten, are former Fliers.
“There are two people that stick out,” Lozier said. “Shane Jacoby. He’s been a teacher and coach at Lakota for a long time. Make sure the kids know I care about them and they’ll play hard for you. I got that from [Clyde coach] Ryan Carter.
"He’s someone I look up to and respect. He’s one of the best coaches in Ohio and I’ll take on that battle with anyone.”
Boys basketball Margaretta can't find rhythm in regional final setback
In a football family, it’s not uncommon for a son to coach on his father’s staff.
Dave Lozier was Lakota’s defensive coordinator last season and linebacker coach the year prior. He’s a former girls varsity basketball coach for Clyde.
“It’s one of my favorite things,” Ryan Lozier said. “I always dreamed of coaching with my dad. Now, he’s on my staff. I always thought I’d help him out. I’ll lean on him heavy. He’s someone I want to be like and to have him in my players’ corner means a lot.”
Ryan Lozier was offensive coordinator for Mike Lento for the Raiders last season.
“I learned a lot from Lento,” Lozier said. “What I learned the most is being there for the kids. He gave a young 22 year old coach his offense. I took that, to do what’s best for the guys around you and stay with your beliefs.”
Lento, a St. Joseph Central Catholic graduate, heads to Tiffin Calvert.
“We’re each other’s biggest fan, except Week 4,” Lozier said. “We’ll circle that. The kids will be fired up and ready for a challenge, but there’s no bad blood. Mike built a foundation for us to grow on. People in that room have won football games, and the kids will be expected to work.
"The foundation is there, we expect more.”
Lozier was talking about himself as well. He knows 22 is young for a head football coach, but he’s not afraid.
“All you can do is continue to be you,” he said. “I am young. People aren’t wrong about that. Young doesn’t mean you can’t get the job done or that you’re not good at what you do.”
Lozier remains under the wing of Lakota girls varsity basketball coach Erin Foos. He’s an assistant on her staff.
“Erin develops player bonds,” he said. “She’s great at connecting with kids and hearing kids. They buy in. I love that she’s my mentor and I can go to her for anything. The caring aspect.”
Lakota had only 30 players last season. It finished 5-6, including a postseason setback.
“The first challenge is getting the numbers up,” Lozier said. “That’s a low number. We want to continue to grow the program, we have expectations to get to a higher level. That takes work and dedication. We over me. We need to embrace that.”
Clyde will always be in Lozier’s heart. But he loves his new home.
“The good people at Lakota are why my staff want to be where we’re at,” he said. “When you’re around good people, you want to stay where you’re at. The support kept me where I am and where I want to be.
“This is a dream come true. I knew it, but it didn’t hit me until 20 minutes ago. It’s reality. Ever since I could walk and talk, all I ever wanted to do was be a football coach.”
mhorn@gannett.com
419-307-4892
X: @MatthewHornNH
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Lakota football hires Ryan Lozier as new head coach for 2024
