Former UCF QB hired as TFA football associate head coach, offensive coordinator

The First Academy football has hired Leesburg High head coach Steven Moffett as its associate head coach and offensive coordinator, according to a press release sent out by the school.

"I’m excited to join Coach (Jeff) Conaway’s staff and help build champions on and off of the field. It’s an honor to be a part of the TFA family, and I’m ready to get to work.” Moffett said.

After one season away from the Orlando metro area he spent most of his football life that’s he’s happy to be back, “It means a lot to me to be able to come back to Orlando to coach, this opportunity is unreal,” he said. 

“We are excited to have Steven join our staff! Coach Moffett has a great offensive mind and authentic care for his players. He will certainly bring great value to us as we pursue building champions!” said Royals coach Jeff Conaway.

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Moffett joins coach Jeff Conaway’s staff with over 15 seasons of coaching experience and one as a head coach at Leesburg in 2023, where Moffett inherited a 2-8 team and orchestrated an incredible turnaround, leading the Yellow Jackets to a 10-2 finish and a second-round playoff berth. 

“I was blessed to have a great (administration) at Leesburg that believed in me, led by Principal Randolph, AP Kenny Kallina & AD Spencer Hey. Those (three) helped make it possible to turn the team around by giving me all the tools I asked for,” Moffett said. “They made my coaches comfortable and we were able to change the culture by getting the kids to believe in themselves and ultimately it resulted in us having a nice season.”

Given Moffett’s quick success at Leesburg and the support he points to here, why did he leave a head coaching position to become an assistant at TFA?

“The main reason I left was because I really believe in what Coach Conaway wants to do at TFA, his track record is very impressive,” Moffett said. “After meeting with him and the administration here I thought this would be an opportunity to really have a special program. My coaches loved it and we believe the opportunity to grow as coaches as well as grow spiritually was too much to pass up.” 

Phillip Pacheco | Central Florida Even Photography

Before his time as a head coach, Moffett spent two seasons as an assistant at Lyman High and the rest as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Winter Park High. 

Not only does Moffett know how to coach an offense, but the former UCF and Winter Park quarterback knows what a perfectly executed one looks like too, so when asked what he looks for in a field general this is what he said: “(Two) qualities I look for in a (quarterback) are the abilities to lead his team on the field and off, (and) make good decisions while running the offense.”

As for what the Royals faithful can expect the from new-look TFA offense under Moffett: Fast and aggressive sum it up pretty well. 

“Offensively we will be fast-paced, physical up front and aggressive in the pass game, Coach Conaway and I have very similar styles so it’s a natural fit,” Moffett said. 

The Royals finished with a 6-4 record in 2023 and missed the playoffs, with its offense gaining 3,682 yards and scoring 49 touchdowns in a balanced attack — throwing the ball 258 times for 1,891 yards with 27 touchdowns, and rushing it 248 times for 1,791 yards with 22 touchdowns. 

Beyond what the offense will look like on the field, Moffett’s message to all who are surrounding the program is simple, the next phase of this program is going to be great.

“I would say the journey that we are about to embark on will take great effort and support from all of us who care about TFA,” he said. “But if we stick together and believe in the kids (and) coaches, this program will be very successful and something everyone can be proud of.”

TFA’s director of athletics Will Cohen agrees with Moffett’s prediction, “great days are ahead for the Royals Football Program,” he said in a press release.  

“Coach Moffett is an exceptional football coach, but more importantly, he is an intentional relationship builder and committed servant leader. We are grateful he is joining our coaching staff!” Cohen added. 

Sam Albuquerque is the Sports Editor for the Orange Observer. Please contact him with story ideas, results and statistics.

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