Dante Lombardi promoted to head football coach at Ashley

Dante Lombardi was announced as the seventh football coach in Ashley history on Friday evening.

Lombardi takes over for Wilson Helms, who finished with a 2-24 record in his three seasons.

“Blessed for the opportunity!!,” Lombardi posted on Twitter. “We have great coaches and student-athletes at Ashley and I look forward to bringing the best out of them.”

The Screaming Eagles will be entering their 22nd season in the fall, but the program still only has one winning season. Current New Hanover coach Dylan Dimock led the 2004 team to an 8-5 record and the lone playoff win in school history.

Lombardi is excited for the opportunity to become a head coach again. He spent three seasons (2018-20) leading Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, Fla. During that time, the 8A Knights finished 15-10 .

After moving to Wilmington with his wife, Kristine, in July 2021, he joined the Ashley football coaching staff as the offensive coordinator. 

After back-to-back winless seasons, the Screaming Eagles finished 2-7 last fall while averaging 23.3 points. 

The team averaged 12.5 points in 2020 and 4.4 points in 2019.

At 29 years of age, Lombardi brings a youthful energy to a program still searching for an identity. 

One of his biggest goals is increasing the number of athletes in the program. Despite being a 4A school with an average daily membership of 2,000 kids, the Screaming Eagles often have less than 50 players on the varsity roster.

Lombardi also wants to involve the alumni more. Since the program has now been around for two decades, he thinks it’s time to reach out to former players and encourage them to come back and support the current team.

The Screaming Eagles open the season at home against South Garner on Aug. 19.

Ashley head coaching history

Dante Lombardi (current)

Wilson Helms (2019-21): 2-24

Jeff Turner (2015-18): 13-29 

Mike Propst (2014): 0-10

Tom Eanes (2011-13): 8-22

Jason Tindal (2009-10): 7-15

Dylan Dimock (2001-08): 29-64