Foundation Academy Football Update:
New Role for Coach Lord, New Head Coach Andre Walker; Bailey Trinder, Tom Brady Pay It Forward
After 13 seasons as Head Coach of Foundation Academy, Brad Lord handed over the program’s reins to new Head Coach, Andre Walker.
Coach Lord began his coaching career at Foundation Academy in 2008, arriving here from Olympia High, leaving his position as Defensive Line coach. In his 13 years as head coach of the Lions, he was the District 11-2A Coach of the Year 6 times and was nominated for the Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year 4 times.
Coach qualified for nine playoff appearances, five regional championships, District Champions in 2015, and this past year won the Regional Championship by beating Victory Christian out of Lakeland. He coached 7 Florida Athletic Association 2A Players of the Year, 27 AP All-State players, 11 Orlando Touchdown Players of the Week and 23 players who have earned scholarships to play football at the college level. Brad Lord now moves forward as the Athletic Collegiate Placement Director for Foundation Academy.
Coach Andre Walker has been the Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach for the past six seasons. Coach Walker played his college ball at Georgia Military College and played high school football at Lakeland High School under Florida coaching legend Bill Castle. Coach Walker’s succession will ensure the program’s stability and continued tradition of excellence.
Coach Walker plans to build upon the faith aspect in the Christ-centered approach to coaching by having Fellowship of Christian Athletes playing a larger role. He will also make it a goal to utilize technology to help improve performance and aid the players in their technical approach to mastering the fundamentals.
School President Dave Buckles had the opportunity to sit down with both coaches and discuss the state of Foundation Academy’s Football program. During the session, Coach Lord was surprised by a former player, Class of 2020, Bailey Trinder. As you may know, Bailey suffered a severe automobile accident in the fall of 2019. Bailey was given a 3 percent chance of surviving the accident. Defying the odds, Bailey made it through and has been an inspiration to so many around him.
The Lord family and the Trinder family have worked closely together as Bailey works towards his life goals. Wanting to thank Coach Lord for all that he has done through this season in his life and knowing that he was a big Tom Brady fanatic, Bailey wrote the legend to share with him the impact that Coach Lord has had on his life.
Tom Brady responded to the letter and was kind enough to help Bailey say thank you to Coach. Brady was able to share with the people at Fanatics Bailey’s story and they partnered together to create a special moment for Coach Lord.
We are looking forward to a great season next year with Coach Walker at the helm. On behalf of the Foundation Academy family, we wish to express our deep appreciation to Bailey and Tom Brady, the Trinder family, and Coach Lord and his family. Thank you!