SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo Department of Athletics and Saint Leo Vice President of Athletics and Wellness, Marcal Lazenby, has named Steven Searles as the Head Flag Football Coach.

Lazenby stated, "We are excited to welcome Steven Searles to Saint Leo University and to have him lead the next chapter of our flag football program. Steven has established himself as an outstanding leader with a passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the field. His vision, energy, and commitment to building a culture centered on excellence, accountability, and character align perfectly with our values at Saint Leo. As flag football continues to experience tremendous growth at the collegiate level, we are confident Steven is the right person to elevate our program, provide an exceptional student-athlete experience, and position the Lions for long-term success. We are thrilled to have him join the One Pride family."

Searles brings extensive experience in program development, student-athlete mentorship, and organizational leadership to Saint Leo after building successful girls flag football programs throughout the Tampa Bay area. Most recently, he served as the inaugural head girls flag football coach at Anclote High School, where he established the program's foundation while fostering both competitive and academic success. Under his leadership, the team improved its win total, tripled its offensive production, significantly increased its defensive output, and raised its cumulative team GPA, while producing 12 All-State Academic selections and seven All-Conference honorees.

In addition to his high school coaching experience, Searles founded Living and Breathing Sports, Inc., growing the organization into one of the largest NFL FLAG programs in the region with more than 500 athletes across three counties. He also founded Deep Threats, an all-girls travel flag football program dedicated to athlete development and collegiate exposure, helping numerous players earn opportunities at regional and national events.

Searles said, "Flag football is opening doors for young women to compete beyond high school and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a part of that growth at the college level. Saint Leo has a strong foundation, great leadership, and a location that gives a real chance to build something special. I'm excited to get to work with our current student-athletes, future Lions, and flag football community."

A U.S. Army veteran, Searles has built strong recruiting connections throughout Florida's rapidly expanding girls flag football community and has extensive experience in athlete evaluation, program administration, fundraising, compliance, and community engagement. His commitment to developing student-athletes both academically and athletically, combined with his passion for growing the sport, positions him to lead the continued success of Saint Leo's flag football program.