FAIRHOPE—Like a Hurricane, so to speak, Mark Lasseter made a big impact at Fairhope High School when he arrived in the spring of 2001.

The athletic director and head football coach announced last Friday that he has retired from education after 27 years in the Alabama school system. Lasseter led the football Pirates to eight-straight playoff berths including the quarterfinals (10-3) in 2003. He had come to FHS after leading the Alma Bryant Hurricanes to a 12-1 record the year before.

“I love this program, but I think it’s a good time to let somebody else come in and run it and take it to another level,” he said Friday with FHS principal Dr. Beverly Thomas and assistant AD Mary Laubenthal present.

“I think this is what’s best for me, my family and the program right now,” Lasseter said after meeting with his players and coaches. “That’s the toughest part, telling them. We love this community. I plan to stay involved in a lot, but right now it won’t be in coaching and teaching. This was not a snap decision. I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of years.”

Lasseter also said he wanted Thomas to have plenty of time to fill the job. "It gives me some time to look around and maybe consider some different options. I’m turning 50 this summer and I think I’m just ready for a change in direction. I may return to coach or not coach. I haven’t decided, yet. Doing this now will give me more time to spend with my family and just enjoy some time doing some things I want to do and I wanted Dr. Thomas to have time to find a coach."

Thomas said Laubenthal will take over as interim AD and assistant coach Chuck Domino will assume acting head-coaching duties for the football program.

“Mark and I have a great relationship. At this particular time, Mark’s decision — although I’m sad,” she said hesitating with emotion. “Will give me time to start looking. We’re going to look at all possibilities. Mark and I have a great relationship. I admire him so much for the timing and allowing us to move forward now. He has built a great coaching staff and they will pick it up and keep it going.”

She added that she is nearing a retirement decision herself and was hoping Lasseter would wait two or three years, “So we could go out together,” she said laughing back tears.

One option may include a break from tradition and hiring a head football coach who will not be the AD, Thomas said.

“It’s tradionally done that way but I'm going to ask that question in the interview process: 'Can you handle both? Do you want to handle both?'

To be quite honest with you, Mary has been working very closely with Mark and learning a lot about the position so I have full confidence in Mary.”

Laubenthal, who is the head volleyball coach as well as director of the womens program said it was a sad time but Lasseter’s contributions would make for a smooth transition.

“It’s sad but we’ll move on. We have a big spring ahead of us in sports,” she said. “I’ll make sure I can get all the knowledge that coach Lasseter has and we’ll be stronger for it.”

Thomas said the advertisement for the position would go out immediately.

“I expect to get a lot of good candidates because of the work Mark, the Booster Club and the community have done.”

Up the road at Daphne High, DHS AD and head football coach Glenn Vickery said his colleague was exceptional at connecting with his players and would be missed. "Mark Lasseter was a great football coach and a coach who loved his kids. His teams were always prepared and played with intensity. Mark was good for our profession. He will truly be missed. We, at Daphne High School wish him and his wonderful family the best."

Lasseter led the Pirates through 52 wins and 39 losses. He holds an 88-61 overall record as a head coach over 13 years at Childersburg, Hamilton, Bryant and FHS. All 13 teams made the state playoffs.