Janasky Fleming, a 31-year coaching and education veteran, will lead a program that will offer 18 full scholarships and compete against 12 to 13 in-state teams.
ENTERPRISE, Ala. - Enterprise State Community College has named Janasky Fleming as the program’s first-ever flag football head coach, the school announced, capping a two-year search for the right person to build the Boll Weevils’ newest athletic program from the ground up.
Fleming, a 31-year coaching and education veteran, will lead a program that will offer 18 full scholarships and compete against 12 to 13 in-state teams when the season kicks off this fall. “I’m really excited about starting a new program, a sport that’s growing all throughout not only the country, but the world,” Fleming said. “It’s now in the Olympics, and I’m just happy it’s now at Enterprise.” ESCC Athletic Director Jermaine Williams said finding the right coach was challenging because Alabama’s flag football season runs in the fall — the same time as traditional tackle football. Many coaches were unavailable. “So then this year we announced it again. And lo and behold, we prayed a lot and just talked to Janasky. And he came in and he said, ‘Coach, I’d love to do it,’” said Williams. Fleming brings experience coaching football, basketball, baseball, track and bowling. He said the opportunity felt like a natural fit. “When I decided to retire from public education, I thought it’d be a great fit to try something new up in the Enterprise community, which I’ve always loved being around,” Fleming said. “It was actually my first high school coaching job back in ’95.” Fleming and Williams both emphasized that tryouts are open to any female athlete — no prior flag football experience required. “It’s not necessarily about girls that have spent their lives playing flag football,” Fleming said. “As an athlete, you can run, jump, and catch. So we’re looking for young ladies who are willing to be those student athletes — that excel in the classroom and out there on the field for us.” Williams echoed that message, saying the program is designed to expand opportunities for women in the Wiregrass region. “It’s an opportunity to give more females scholarship opportunities in the Wiregrass,” Williams said. “A lot of schools don’t have a lot of female sports. But now that we equal it up with flag football, it’s exciting.” With approximately eight high school flag football programs already operating in the area, Fleming will have a deep local recruiting pool. Williams said that’s one of the program’s biggest selling points. “It’s exciting because we get to keep them home,” Williams said. “So many kids from the Wiregrass, from Geneva County, Houston County, Henry — they all decided about flag football. They get to stay home. So it’s a big deal for Enterprise State.” Enterprise High School flag football coach Brad Fortney said he has already spoken with Fleming and expects several of his players to be interested in the opportunity. “I do think we have some juniors and seniors that would definitely be interested in being able to stay home and not have to worry about making an hour commute here or there to be able to compete in flag football and then also get their academics taken care of,” Fortney said. Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and its profile has never been higher after being added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games program. Fortney, who has watched his program grow from a varsity-only team two years ago to adding a JV squad last year — and a junior high team this upcoming season — said the sport’s momentum is undeniable. “It’s blown up throughout all colleges,” Fortney said. “I think girls are legitimately looking at it — it’s like, ‘Alright, I get a track scholarship, I get a soccer scholarship, volleyball, softball.’ It’s like, ‘Oh, no, wait — I might even have a better chance to get a flag football scholarship.’ So it’s opened up more opportunities for girls, which I think is incredible for them.” Fortney also noted the unique culture developing around the sport, including a growing camaraderie between his girls’ flag football team and the boys tackle football program. “You watch them do some of the things that we watch our guys do Friday night at 7 p.m. — they’re doing Tuesday night at 5 p.m.,” Fortney said. “So it’s pretty cool.” Fleming said he plans to coach each player as an individual — adjusting his style to fit the needs of the athlete rather than the other way around. “Some players need pushing, some players need pulling,” Fleming said. “You have to know who you’re dealing with. They shouldn’t have to adjust to you.” Above all, Fleming wants the program’s first class to understand the significance of what they are building. “It’s history,” Fleming said. “They’re going to be on the first Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevil flag football team — and have a chance to make history and inspire other young ladies in this community and surrounding area that play flag football.”“His experience, energy — we wanted a guy that was coming in and would have a lot of energy, have experience,” Williams said. “He’s known for coaching basketball, but Coach Fleming was an outstanding football player in high school, too, for Dothan High. He’s just the right fit.” Open tryouts are expected this fall. Any female athlete interested in trying out is encouraged to contact Enterprise State Community College’s athletic department for more information. Download the WTVY News4 app to get alerts and stories the moment they are published. 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Enterprise State Community College Enterprise State Community College Athletics Enterprise State Community College Flag Football Alabama Flag Football Enterprise Alabama ESCC Athletic Director Jermaine Williams Flag Football Scholarships Alabama Flag Football Teams ESCC Flag Football Tryouts Enterprise High School Flag Football Flag Football Olympic Games
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