Lance Rorex leaving Lookout Valley to take over Silverdale baseball program

Lookout Valley baseball coach Lance Rorex watches from the 3rd base box during their Class A baseball sectional against University High at Lookout Valley High School on Saturday, May 19, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Lookout Valley baseball coach Lance Rorex watches from the 3rd base box during their Class A baseball sectional against University High at Lookout Valley High School on Saturday, May 19, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Lance Rorex has resigned as baseball coach and athletic director at Lookout Valley High School to accept an offer to take over the baseball program at Silverdale Baptist Academy.

Rorex, 29, had spent six years coaching at his alma mater, including the last five as head coach, winning 101 games. He also worked as the Yellow Jackets' head football coach in 2017 before stepping down to concentrate on the baseball program, but he remained a football assistant.

"This was by far the toughest decision I've ever had to make," Rorex said. "I'm not leaving for anything negative. Lookout Valley is such a good place to be, from the administration and staff to the players. It was always going to take something special to make me leave Lookout Valley because it's home, and this is just a great fit for me and my family to accept this offer.

"Me and my wife joined the church at Silverdale two years ago, and we love it there. It just feels like the right time and the right fit. Lookout Valley is a special place with great tradition, and they will be fine without me."

Rorex helped guide the Yellow Jackets to two district titles and one region championship. He led the Lookout Valley football program to the Class 1A playoffs and a 5-6 finish in his one year in charge of that program.

He also will join the Silverdale football staff as an assistant.

"We had some really good candidates, but Lance quickly rose to the top because we're looking for a coach who can develop players and who can run the whole program - the (junior varsity) level and younger kids," Silverdale Baptist athletic director Taylor Hasty said. "The other piece is the discipleship aspect in building young men. More than anything that's what it's about - building young men of character - and Lance was a natural fit for all those things."

Siverdale finished as Class A baseball state runner-up in 2013 before making the move to Division II-A.

"Lance was such a big part of our school and our program, so at this point we will evaluate the situation and open it up before we decide what direction we will take moving forward," Lookout Valley principal Todd Stinson said.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis

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