Defense wins championships. It’s more than just a saying, it is part of Vidalia High School head coach Lee Chomskis’ coaching philosophy.
“Play great defense, strong running game, solid special teams and be as strong physically as we can,” Chomskis says.
In the past nine seasons, Chomskis has put his philosophy into action, leading the Indians to deep playoff runs and putting them squarely in position to contend for a state title next year.
Chomskis (the “C” is silent in his name) is a Georgia native originally from Augusta where he attended Westside High School. He played a year at Middle Tennessee State University before transferring to Augusta College, where he was a baseball player for one year. Upon graduation from college in 1986, Chomskis got into coaching as an assistant at Hephzibah High School. He would go on to coach at Burke County and Screven County, where he had his first big moment as a coach in 1994. He was an assistant for the Gamecocks as they fell to Washington County in the state championship game, but it was the excitement that caught his eye.
“The stadium was full at 5:00 pm with an 8:00 pm kickoff time,” he says.
He had a two-year stint as head coach at Evans before returning to being an assistant at Mary Persons and Lincoln County, where he had his most memorable game so far.
“Winning the state championship in Lincolnton, Georgia in 2005,” he says. “We defeated Washington-Wilkes for the title at home. It was an incredible atmosphere. I will never forget it.”
During this time, he was named Assistant Coach of the Year on four separate occasions – 1991,1994, 2005, and 2006. He got a great deal of experience and credits a list of legendary mentors for influencing his coaching style. First and foremost is his uncle, Dan Pitts who was the coach at Mary Persons for 39 years. Lincoln County’s Larry Campbell, Chuck Conley at Screven County, and Steve Chafin of Mary Persons have all had an effect on Chomskis throughout his career.
In 2007, Vidalia High School came calling. The Indians had a long history of success on the football field, including a state championship in 1969 under Coach “Buck” Cravey. Now, they were a year removed from a playoff appearance and looking to rebuild. The first two years were tough, as Vidalia played .500 football. In his third year, Chomskis led the Indians back to the playoffs. The following year they made it to the second round. In 2012, Vidalia went undefeated before falling in the second round. Last season, the Indians made it to the state quarterfinals before falling to Greater Atlanta Christian. The playoff run came after Vidalia went undefeated in the regular season with five defensive shutouts.
“Great team chemistry and leadership,” Chomskis says. “We should have played for it all that season.”
Chomskis was honored as Region 2-AA Coach of the Year in 2012 and 2014. In his nine seasons in Vidalia, he has gone 71-31 with six trips to the playoffs.
This season, the Indians finished 7-3 and hosted their first playoff game against rival Swainsboro, who were dispatched by the Indians for the second time this season. The playoff win advanced them to play familiar old foe Greater Atlanta Christian who, for the second year in a row, knocked the Indians out of contention.
Chomskis was pleasantly surprised by his team’s ability to overcome.
“I’m proud of how our kids responded to the incredible amount of adversity that came our way this season,” he says.
Things look bright for Vidalia next season as they return one of the top players in the nation, Nate McBride, who missed this season with an arm injury.
“He not only is very talented, but he is a complete team guy,” Chomskis says. “He puts his teammates first and always leads by example.”
The community is firmly behind the program, with downtown storefronts painted in maroon and gold every game night. It is easy to see how Chomskis has made his home in Vidalia. His wife, Candace, is head of the math department at Vidalia High School, and his children are away at college.
“My greatest claim to fame is my children,” he says. “I am very proud of the young man and young lady that they have become.”
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Coach’s Corner
Lee Chomskis
Vidalia High School
(W) Rob Asbell
(P) Jeffrey Griffith (Done at Media Day)
The Silent C Makes Big Noise
