Baseball all-star takes over high school program

Aiden Mandel – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) - For the 2026 season Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) will have a new varsity baseball coach, former MLB two-time Major League All-star Ian Desmond.

Desmond played in the MLB for eleven seasons, seven with Washington Nationals, one with the Texas Rangers, and ended his career with three seasons with the Colorado Rockies.

Once Desmond retired, he started a charity called Newtown Connection in north Sarasota. It emphasizes giving back to the community and spotlights sports, health and education within the neighborhood.

Desmond said coaching at LRHS continues his efforts to give back, “…by taking this job I get to help on the other side of town.”

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Desmond's oldest son will be starting his freshman year at LRHS in 2026. Desmond said he’s a baseball player, but adds that when it comes to playing for the Mustangs, “He can tryout just like everyone else.”

Desmond played high school ball at Sarasota then went to play college at the University of South Florida (USF) before being drafted to the Montreal Expos, now known as the Washington Nationals, in 2004.

Desmond wants the team to have a year-round program, starting summer and fall programs.

His final thoughts about the team and his new role were, “I hope our (Lakewood Ranch) players learn valuable life lessons. Our program will stress structure, accountability and discipline. These are skills that kids can benefit from on and off the field.”