John Flath begins his fourth season at Southeastern University as offensive line coach. In January of 2016 Flath also added the title of Recruiting Coordinator.
With a year of experience behind it, the 2015 Fire offensive line produced a 1,000-yard rusher in Jarrell Reynolds, and allowed only 11.5 sacks. The record-breaking Sun Conference Championship season saw sophomores Cody McGahee and Forrest Garner receive Second Team All-Sun Conference recognition at guard and center, respectively.
In the inaugural campaign, the 2014 Fire offensive line, featuring four redshirt freshmen, paved the way for 2,148 rushing yards and surrendered only 1.7 sacks per game en route to an historic 8-win season. Running back Jarrell Reynolds garnered Sun Conference Player of the Year honors and quarterback Jonathan Pearce earned First-team All-Sun Conference recognition behind the quickly developing troop of young linemen.
Flath came to Southeastern University in 2013 with 20 years of high school coaching experience in Central Florida.
From 2006-2012, Flath tutored the offensive line at perennial power Lakeland High School. During Flath’s tenure assisting legendary coach Bill Castle, the Dreadnaughts were the 2006 5A State Champions, 2008 State runner-up, and posted 87 wins with only eight losses.
In 2010 there was a Lakeland Dreadnaught playing center at every level of football: NFL (Maurkice Pouncey - Pittsburgh), Division I (Mike Pouncey - Florida), Division II (Caleb Pickrell - Stillman), and Division III (Brandon Martin - Geneva). Dreadnaught center Alec Nutting garnered NCAA Division III All-American honors as a freshman at Wittenburg University in 2011. Following the Pouncey twins example, Dreadnaught twins, Devin and Evan Goodman are enjoying successful careers at Arizona State. Evan projects to be a high pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Flath made a brief stop at Apopka H.S. is the spring of 2006 before moving on to Lakeland.
From 2002-2005, Flath was the head coach at Orlando University High School. Under Flath’s direction, the 2003 Cougars posted the most wins in a season (9) and made their second trip to playoffs in school history.
In 2001, Flath served as the Offensive Coordinator at Sanford Seminole High School. In 2000 Flath was an assistant at Orlando Edgewater High School. Flath’s first coaching stop was a seven-year stint at Lake Highland Prep (1993-1999) in Orlando, finishing his time as offensive coordinator.
Flath was a three-year letterwinner at Florida State at offensive tackle from 1988-1992. In his time at FSU, the Seminoles went to the Sugar, Fiesta, Blockbuster, Cotton, and Orange Bowls. Flath earned a Bachelors degree in Communications.
Flath and his wife of 22 years, Megan, have two sons Caleb, and Jake. Jake is a freshman offensive tackle at Mercer University.
Prominent Players Coached:
Max Starks, University of Florida, Pittsburgh Steelers
Maurkice Pouncey, Univeristy of Florida, Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Pouncey, University of Florida, Miami Dolphins
