Lamar Waters, a Union County native and the head football coach for the Union County High School Fightin’ Tigers, spoke to the Lake Butler Rotary Club on September 16.
Waters, who previously coached baseball and served as an assistant football coach at Union County, expressed his deep connection to the community and his commitment to developing not only athletes but also responsible young men.
Waters, the youngest of seven children, spent part of his childhood in Union County but graduated from Dunnellon High School and the University of Florida.
He returned to Union County in March 2025 after serving as athletic director and assistant coach at Williston High School. This marks his third stint with the Union County School District, having coached football under both Robby and Ronny Pruitt and led the Tigers’ baseball team. Waters is married to Erin Waters, a staffing specialist at Union County High School, and their three sons are active in local sports.
Speaking to the Rotarians, Waters emphasized the importance of Union County schools as the heart of the community.
“This has always been home for me,” he said, highlighting his family’s ties to the area and his pride in raising his children in the same school district where he and his wife work.
He noted the unique role of the high school as the community’s focal point, citing packed stands at Pop Warner games and the vibrant atmosphere of Friday night football games, complete with the band, cheerleaders, and ROTC.
Waters leads a young Tigers team, with 47 players, 27 of whom are in their first year of high school football.
The program had fewer than 20 players when he took the reins of the program last Spring.
Despite their inexperience, he praised their effort and positive attitude, sharing anecdotes about teaching moments on the field, such as a player running the wrong way or a punter unaware of taking a knee.
“Some days it’s like Groundhog Day,” he said, “but these are Union County kids, and they give me everything they’ve got.”
Beyond football, Waters stressed character development, aiming to teach his players to be “good husbands, fathers, and community leaders.”
He credited former coach Robby Pruitt’s philosophy: “You make good people; you’ll make good ballplayers.”
Waters also enforces academic accountability, requiring weekly progress reports and addressing issues directly, even with his own son, whom he disciplined for falling short academically.
“Kids want discipline. They want somebody to love them,” he said, emphasizing actions over words.
The program’s youth presents challenges, with 13 seniors, eight of whom have prior experience, and many players new to varsity-level play.
Waters recounted humorous missteps, like a senior unaware that clipping was illegal, but expressed optimism about their growth.
He also highlighted the school’s efforts to showcase students, noting a new pregame tradition where the band performs on the field alongside the team, cheerleaders, and color guard, a collaborative effort with school administrators to highlight student talents.
The Rotarians praised Waters’ approach, with one attendee noting his impact extends to the classroom. After a teacher reported issues with football players, Waters visited the class to address behavior, demonstrating his commitment to accountability.
With a focus on loyalty to Union County and a distaste for transfer trends in high school athletics, Waters aims to build a program rooted in local pride and tradition, continuing the legacy of the purple and gold.
