Coach's Corner: "The Berserker Spirit "

Coach's Corner: The Berserker Spirit – Marc Lakey’s Mission to Spotlight the Overlooked

For more than two decades, Marc Lakey (@CoaLBViking) has lived on the high school football sidelines in North Carolina and Florida, coaching since 2000 and shaping young men both on and off the field. His coaching path began under Florida’s all-time winningest coach, Corky Rogers, at The Bolles School in Jacksonville. Rogers’ state championship culture became Lakey’s foundation. Discipline and work ethic were non-negotiable. Teamwork and unity weren’t just talked about, but were demanded. Attention to detail sets great teams apart, and resilience in adversity became the standard. Those lessons carried far beyond the game, and Lakey still echoes them today: success comes from consistent effort, precise execution, and an unshakable commitment to the bigger picture.

Over the years, Lakey worked under other great coaches in North Carolina, collecting wisdom everywhere he went. He served in countless roles, volunteer linebackers coach, defensive coordinator, offensive and defensive line coach, defensive backs coach, running backs and QB coach, recruiting coordinator, assistant head coach, and even the all-important Get Back Coach. The results are two state championships, one state finals appearance, two Eastern Finals (Final 4), three region finals, and four conference championships. Along the way, he also saw 24 athletes go on to Division I/IAA ball, seven more to Division II, and eight to Division III or NAIA.

When the day finally came to step away from coaching, it wasn’t easy. “Coaching was more than a job; it was who I was,” Lakey admitted. The void left behind was real. But instead of walking away from the game completely, he found a new way to make an impact: creating highlight reels and building The All Berserker Team on X. What began as a creative outlet became a mission, one rooted in his deepest motivation.

Lakey’s “why” is powerful. Helping kids get noticed is about far more than a cool edit or a viral post. To him, it’s about empowerment through education, giving athletes a chance to open doors they might not otherwise reach. It’s about building confidence and self-worth, reminding kids that their work is valuable and their dreams are valid. It’s about creating opportunities for all players, regardless of size, speed, or background, because too many go overlooked simply for lacking resources. It’s about fostering community support, getting coaches, families, and scouts to rally behind these athletes. And it’s about inspiring future generations, planting seeds of ambition in kids who will one day lead not just on the field, but in life.

That’s why Lakey’s highlight reels are more than flashy clips. They’re storytelling tools. Each one is designed to be eye-catching enough that a college coach pauses to watch, then digs deeper into the athlete’s full film. From his coach’s perspective, a highlight reel must show technical skills (clean footwork, strong fundamentals, body control), game IQ (smart decisions, anticipation, being in the right place at the right time), athleticism (speed, agility, strength applied in-game), consistency (production across multiple games), and work ethic (hustle, resilience, fight on every snap).

Even off the field, Lakey balances his passion with precision. By day, he works in selling and designing fire systems, a career that demands technical detail and focus. By night, he pours that same energy into ABT—editing film, posting highlights, and promoting kids who deserve a shot. It takes strict time management, clear priorities, and sharp boundaries, but the reward isn’t money. His reward is a thank you, a hug, an article written about one of his athletes, or seeing one of “his kids” run onto a college field on Saturday, knowing, in some small way, he helped them get there.

Lakey’s dreams don’t stop there. He envisions The All Berserker Team growing into a self-sustaining platform that funds two to three $1,000 scholarships or NIL opportunities each season for deserving players of the year. To make that happen, he plans to expand ABT’s following, secure sponsorships and partnerships, create merchandise, and launch donation-based support. Success, for him, would mean measurable impact, supporting more athletes each year; trusted recognition, becoming known as a resource for exposure; sustainable funding, so the scholarships grow season after season; and deeper community engagement through showcases, mentorship, and events.

The All Berserker Team itself was born from one unforgettable moment, a player fighting through adversity with fearless determination, reminding Lakey of the legendary Norse warriors who never backed down. From that spark came a platform dedicated to celebrating athletes who embody resilience, grit, and passion. These are the kids who may not get the big headlines but deserve to be seen. For them, being named to ABT is more than a recognition; it’s validation of their relentless work. Athletes like Camden Goforth have become role models for other members, living proof of what it means to carry the Berserker spirit.

Recruiting plays a central role in Lakey’s work, and he’s quick to point out where families often get it wrong. Too many rely on chasing D1 offers or believe exposure alone guarantees a scholarship. In truth, it’s about a holistic approach of maintaining strong academics, continually developing athletically, creating updated film, and showing character and leadership. Connections do matter, through camps, showcases, alumni, or even respectful emails and DMs, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Families must remember that grades, consistency, and character matter just as much as big plays.

For Lakey, it’s always been personal. He refers to some of the athletes he helps as “like my sons,” not as a figure of speech but as a reflection of his heart. In a world where many athletes grow up without father figures, he takes that responsibility intentionally. “This is my calling,” he said. “What God put me here to do.” Coaching may no longer define his title, but it still defines his purpose.

His message to overlooked athletes is as detailed as his reels: embrace the journey, because every challenge builds character. Believe in your potential, even when others don’t. Stay consistent, because daily work adds up. Lean on your community, because support matters. Stay hungry and humble, always striving while staying grounded. Define success on your terms, not by a logo or a division label. And above all, trust the process. Lakey tells his kids not to chase D1 for validation but to go where they are wanted, because the right fit matters more than anything.

Looking ahead, he sees The All Berserker Team growing into something much larger: greater visibility for athletes through media and streaming, stronger networks with college coaches, expanded resources for training and academics, and deeper community engagement through mentorship and events. It won’t be easy; funding, networking, and sustainability will be constant challenges, but with collaboration from schools, sponsors, and fellow coaches, Lakey is determined to make it happen.

From his early years under Corky Rogers to a career that touched championships and sent dozens of players to college, to now running a platform that champions the overlooked, Marc Lakey has never stopped investing in kids. Coaching may have ended, but the mission never did. Through the All Berserker Team, his reach is only growing, proving that sometimes, stepping away from the sidelines isn’t the end of the story, but the start of a new one.