By: Kasey Nelson
When
Jake Lassiter transferred to Kennesaw State in 2019 from Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, he brought his duffle bag and a work ethic that couldn't be beat. Today, that drive has landed the celebrated student-athlete a coaching position, which allows him to bring his winning ways to the program that taught him so much about the game of life.
As the Offensive Graduate Assistant Coach, Lassiter is fulfilling his dream of coaching at the collegiate level. "I always knew I wanted to be in this environment because when I was growing up my dad worked in sales for the Miami Dolphins. I feel like I fell in love with every aspect of football."
During his time at Kennesaw State, fans of the game fell in love with Lassiter and the way he handled his business on and off the field. During the 2021 Big South Championship season, Lassiter played the most snaps on the team with 808 and was the only starter on the offensive line to start in all 11 regular-season games. His abilities helped pave the way for the nation's No. 3 rushing attack and earned First Team All-Big South honors for the third time in his career.
"Coach Bohannon would always say, 'team success brings on the individual accolades,'" recalls Lassiter. "So, while my individual accolades were special to me, my goal from the get-go was to help in the best way I could to win the Big South Conference Championship. When we accomplished that last year, that was the most special moment of my career, and I can specifically remember the feeling of pure excitement."
Lassiter's accomplishments on the field didn't surprise the coach who recruited him.
"Jake was a kid who stood out to me. His film was good, we could tell how important football was to him, and he checked a lot of boxes as far as what we look for in bringing someone into our program and culture," said KSU Tight End and Tackles Coach
Stewart Cook. "He's dependable, hardworking and he only knows one speed – 100 miles an hour. He worked his tail off in everything he did, and it didn't matter what came up because he was going to find a way to be at practice and to get the job done on game day."
When the graduate assistant coaching position became available, Lassiter, who was already enrolled in a master's program at Kennesaw State, was the obvious choice.
"I realized in college that I wanted to have a positive influence on people, and that my best avenue to impact young kids' lives was through coaching," Lassiter shares. "I think I brought a lot of energy and positive outlook to the team as a player, and that's how I'll be as a coach."
For Coach Cook, he believes his former player has the recipe for success in coaching.
"People who become coaches are very driven," he explains. "They're driven as players, competitive by nature, love the game and want to excel in everything that they do. Jake has all of these factors, which will will help him transition into this role and build a solid career in the coaching field."
With the Owls at the mid-season mark, Lassiter says he and the rest of the coaching staff are focused on practice habits and getting better day-in and day-out to achieve the goals for postseason play.
"You can't have enough good people in your program – whether it's coaches or players," states Coach Cook. "So being able to keep one of the best ones around and also having him there as a voice for players after having lived it out and been in this position, you can't put a price tag on it."
Football Philosophy 101 from Coach Lassiter
Ready for the life lessons that
Jake Lassiter shares on a daily basis with his KSU players? Read on for his top 6:
- Don't take the opportunity for granted
- Live in the moment and do your job
- Attack practice
- Only worry about what you can control
- Enjoy the ride
- Hard work pays off
