Adam Purzitza has been named the new head coach of Ashley football, taking over from Dante Lombardi and inheriting a program that has steadily climbed the state rankings.
The former Hoggard offensive coordinator spent six seasons shaping the Wildcats' attack, guiding the team to a state championship game in 2023 and a semifinal appearance in 2025, while also mentoring under longtime coach Craig Underwood.
A Coach Rooted in Community
A Wilmington native, Purzitza graduated from Overhills High School and earned his degree at UNCW before returning to the area, where he has lived for the past 15 years. His deep ties to the community inform his belief that stability and preparation are the foundations of success, a philosophy he sums up with a Bill Walsh quote: “The score will take care of itself.”
Under his leadership, Ashley aims to translate recent breakthroughs — including a first‑round playoff upset in 2025 — into sustained conference title contention, leveraging the higher expectations that have built over years of incremental improvement.
Purzitza’s appointment signals a strategic shift toward a more disciplined, preparation‑focused culture, one that he hopes will cement Ashley’s rise and keep the program competitive in the years ahead.