- January 22, 2025
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In its seven years of existence, the Windermere High baseball program has only had one coach, Eric Lassiter.
But going into the 2025 season, he won’t be the man in charge of one of the top high school baseball programs in the state.
Lassiter — who coached at his alma mater, Apopka High, before taking the Windermere job in the summer of 2017 — announced in a letter posted to the Wolverines’ social media that he will step down from the position and step away from coaching high school baseball to focus on his family and other baseball roles at Power Baseball and Diamond Allegiance.
“It has been an honor to serve as the head coach of Windermere baseball and to be given the task of building the program into one of the premier baseball programs not only in Orlando but across the entire state of Florida,” Lassiter wrote. “Over the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of working with an incredible staff of coaches and players, both past and present. After much consideration, I have decided to step down … and step away from coaching high school baseball. My other roles with Power Baseball and Diamond Allegiance now afford me the opportunity to focus more on my daughter’s athletic and extracurricular activities and be the father I strive to be.
“I would also like to thank my wife, Daya, for all the sacrifices she has made over the last 14 years … allowing me to spend the time necessary to be the best coach/mentor I could be for our student-athletes,” he wrote. “Building a successful athletic program requires exceptional leadership, and I am deeply grateful to my former principal, Doug Guthrie, and athletic director, Fred Priest, for their trust in me and my staff. I also want to thank our current principal, Andy Leftakis, and AD Jillian Sutton, for their continued support and their commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes and teams. Without the unwavering backing of the administration and the Windermere Dugout Club, none of our achievements would have been possible.”
In his seven seasons as Windermere’s coach — including the ones affected by COVID-19 — Lassiter had a combined record of 132-38-1, which included three seasons with 25 or more wins, zero seasons with double-digit losses and only one season with more than six losses. Under Lassiter, the Wolverines also won five district championships and reached the playoffs five times.
To finish his time at Windermere, Lassiter led the Wolverines to their best-ever season. By the end of the spring, Windermere had won the most games (28) in its history, won its first regional championship and reached the FHSAA Class 7A State Championship for the first time — losing to South Florida powerhouse Stoneman Douglas High in extra innings, 3-2.
“The last seven of my 14-year high school coaching journey (have) been nothing short of a dream job,” he said. “I will always consider myself a Wolverine/WindyBoy and will continue to support the Windermere baseball community in any way I can. The staff, players and families I’ve worked with have become an extension of my own family. … Thank you once again for the opportunity to lead this remarkable program. I look forward to supporting Windermere Baseball from the other side of the fence.”
As Lassiter steps down, Windermere is no longer the upstart program he took over in 2017. No, it is now one of the most accomplished programs in Florida, meaning the coaching vacancy left behind is also one of the most coveted.
However, Lassiter and the Windermere decision-makers left no room for speculation or rumors, as pitching coach Brian Adkins was announced as the successor in the goodbye letter.
“I look forward to watching the program’s continued success under the leadership of my great friend and colleague Brian Adkins and the rest of the current staff,” Lassiter wrote.
Adkins, a former University High and UCF pitcher, has been a key part of Windermere’s success during Lassiter’s run; so much so he believes Adkins has everything it takes to keep the success rolling in for the Wolverines.
“Brian has been a part of my staff for the last 10 years and has been a huge part in my success, as well as in our teams’ over those 10 years as my right-hand man,” Lassiter said. “It is now his turn to get in the driver’s seat. Brian understands the community of Windermere, as he was with me when we opened the school. Brian also knows the time and effort it takes to run a top-notch program. I look forward to watching Brian, the staff and the team’s success this year and in the future!”
Adkins is grateful for the time he served under Lassiter’s leadership.
“Working with coach Lassiter over the past decade has been one of the most rewarding experiences both professionally, and moreover personally, in the strong bond and friendship we have developed,” Adkins wrote in his own letter to the Windermere baseball community. “I wish him nothing but success as he continues his endeavors and am forever thankful for his mentorship.”
Beyond replacing a legend in Lassiter, Adkins will have to deal with losing some of the top players to graduation — not just from the 2024 team but from the program’s history — in Ty Head and Cannon Feazell. Fortunately for the first-time head coach, the Wolverines will bring back a group full of college-level players; who will be led by one of the area’s top prospects, junior outfielder Randy Ruiz Jr.
“I have been fortunate to be with the Windermere High School baseball program as the assistant/pitching coach since the inception of Windermere baseball,” Adkins said. “I firmly understand where we have been, where we are now and where we strive to be in the future. Rest assured, my goal is to make this coaching transition a seamless and successful process for the players, parents and the Windermere community. We have our coaching staff from previous years intact and we are all committed to our players achieving in the classroom and on the field of competition.”
Opening day is less than a month away for the new-look Wolverines, as they are set to play Deland High Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Oveido High.
