“It’s amazing. You know it’s crazy because I always thought I was going to come back after playing Kansas State and Miami,” says Daniel Thomas.
HILLIARD, Fla. – The Hilliard Flashes have turned to a familiar face to take over their soccer program.
The school announced Hilliard alum Daniel Thomas as its new head football coach on Monday.
Thomas has electrified Flashes fans on Friday nights throughout his career.
A 2006 graduate of Hilliard, he played JOCO ball at Northwest Mississippi, then Kansas State before being drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the NFL draft in 2011.
Thomas is the first black soccer manager in Hilliard history.
“It’s amazing. You know it’s crazy because I always thought I was going to come back after playing Kansas State and Miami,” says Daniel Thomas. “It was always in the back of my mind, and I never thought it would come so fast, but just to be in that position is powerful. I feel like God prepared me for it and brought me to this job.”
Thomas says he understands the importance of being the first black football manager at Hilliard.
“It hasn’t actually hit me yet, but you say it, I understand the extent of it and I embrace it 100 percent,” says Thomas. “Individuals like you inspire me. Just by doing the steps you took and where you did it. I told you I saw you courtside in Kansas City doing your thing. And I remember where you started and to see where you led if you inspire me.”
Thomas says he plans to use some of the same philosophies he learned from his former college head coach Bill Synder at Kansas Sate.
Thomas replaces Wayland Cox. Flash Fans The school is having an official meet and greet with Coach Thomas on Monday, February 27 at 5:30am in the cafeteria.
