Former Whiteford (Michigan) coach Jason Mensing to take over at Lemon Bay (Florida)

Mensing won a state championship at Whiteford in 2017

From the Great Lakes to the Sunshine State is the journey Jason Mensing will be taking in the coming days. 

That’s because Mensing will be leaving the state of Michigan and taking a head coaching job down in Florida. 

According to Lemon Bay High School’s athletic department, Mensing has been tabbed as the Manta Rays’ next head football coach. Mensing led Whiteford High School to a Division 8 state championship in 2017. 

Come out and welcome Coach Mensing on Friday, January 26th, 6:00pm at Lemon Bay High School. pic.twitter.com/GFtf9J3uh1

— LBHS Athletics (@mantaathletics) January 18, 2024

“With my ability to retire this year and move to the area where my parents’ winter, the decision to coach at Lemon Bay makes a lot of sense,” Mensing said to Tri County Conference’s Doug Donnelly. “Getting to lead a program that is already at a high standard is a wonderful opportunity.” 

Mensing’s most recent head coaching stint was at Glenn High School, leading the Rockets to a 7-3 record in 2023. During his time at Whiteford, however, is where Mensing made his name known throughout Michigan. 

At Whiteford, Mensing won 93 games over 10 seasons, winning five district titles, four regional championships, four Tri County Conference titles and a state crown along the way. 

Mensing takes over at Lemon Bay for Don Southwell, who stepped down as the Manta Rays’ head coach after seven seasons. Southwell went 41-30 over the course of seven seasons. Lemon Bay is coming off a solid 10-2 season in Class 2S. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl