Former University of Washington and NFL running back Lavon Coleman is new Sunnyside football coach, the school’s athletic director Dave Martinez announced Saturday on social media.

Coleman, a Lompoc, Calif., native, rushed for 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns in four seasons for the Huskies. He had his best season as a junior in 2016 when he ran for 852 yards, seven touchdowns and averaged a UW-record 7.5 yard per carry.

After being undrafted, he spent the 2018 season on the practice squads in Houston, Seattle and Green Bay, before being called up to the Packers’ active squad.

Coleman was the head coach at Bellevue’s Interlake High School in 2024 and guided the Saints to a 7-2 record and a second-place finish in the Kingco’s Lake Division.

Married to an Othello native and with young children, Coleman and family will relocate to Central Washington.

Martinez said there were 10 applicants for the position which was posted earlier this winter. Of the five interviews, Martinez messaged that he was “blown away!” by Coleman.

He replaces Marshall Lobbestael, who stepped down to focus on his own young family, including two children of elementary school age.

The former Washington State quarterback was 20-20 in four seasons following his brother, John, guiding the program.

Under the Lobbestaels, the Grizzlies enjoyed nine straight seasons finishing at .500 or better nine straight seasons, before a 4-5 record this past fall.

Sunnyside was at or near the top of the CBBN standings during that span after many years of struggles.