Breaking down the elite eight for ‘Coach of the year’
Jeff Odom – Big County Preps Correspondent
Over the course of the 2011 high school football season, many head coaches around the Tampa Bay area led their teams to successful runs with electrifying victories and heartbreaking losses, but only one can stand above the crowd as best of the best. Here is a rough sketch of who should be in line for “Coach of the Year” in 2011.
Jason Stokes – Gaither High School
After Gaither failed to make a sniff at playoff berth under Mark Kantor in the three years leading up to 2011, Jason Stokes, formerly of Middleton, came in and laid down a plan for how the Cowboys would regain the respect and support they had lost over the half decade. Stokes didn’t have much of a winning background before moving over to Dale Mabry, but he had the ability to gain the attention of this team. In the end, it all paid off as Gaither had probably the best season in school history. After finishing runner up to Tampa Bay Tech in Class 7A-District 7, the Cowboys focused on the playoffs earning wins against Durant and Tampa Bay Tech before falling to Lakeland. Nevertheless, Stokes’ ability to earn such quick success puts his name in the hat for “C.O.Y.”.
Robert Weiner – Plant High School
Is there anything this man hasn’t done? Since making the move from Jesuit to Plant, Panthers Head Coach Robert Weiner has turned himself into what may be the best high school football coach in the southeastern United States. The Panthers won another state title this year with Weiner’s guidance, while only losing once to Armwood along the way. Over the years, Weiner has produced some of Hillsborough’s finest QB prospects with Robert Marve, Aaron Murray (started at Jesuit), Philip Ely and now another household name: James Few. If Weiner can lead Plant to two or three more trips to Orlando with the gold medal hanging around his neck, he may become America’s best high school football coach.
Sean Callahan – Armwood High School
The only reason Hawks’ head man Sean Callahan’s isn’t in that number one slot, is because of the recruiting rumors and official FHSAA investigation looming around Seffner. The Hawks may still have to vacate all of their wins from 2011 AND give up the state title trophy. However all speculating aside, Armwood clinched its first state title since 2004 and haven’s lost a game in over a year. The surplus of Division I talent that Callahan’s possesses makes not only the team look great, but himself as a top candidate as one of the best coaches in Florida. While the Hawks’ future may be uncertain, Callahan’s ability to lead and above all win is.
Dominick Ciao – Berkley Prep
The Buccaneers were a force across Hillsborough County all season long and it showed across the board. Berkley Head Coach Dominick Ciao led his squad to a 12-1 record, just missing a shot at state after losing to American Heritage. Ciao groomed athletes like Nelson Agholor, one of the areas top prospects and a 2011 Big County Preps Player of the Year finalist. Heck, if Agholor and the Bucs are on the list, why not throw in the man that led them, Ciao.
James Harrell – Jesuit High School
Even though the Tigers missed out on an opportunity at a state title following their loss to Pasco, Jesuit Head Coach James Harrell helped his squad through some tough moments early on. A quarterback battle, an 0-1 start and above all the expectation surrounding this program to “win baby, win!” solidifies Harrell as one of the area’s top coaches. An 11-2 record doesn’t hurt either.
Jeremy Earle – Jefferson High School
Not much seemed to be going right in the Dragons’ quest to repeat as state titlists, much less playoff bound teams, but first-year Jefferson Head Coach Jeremy Earle didn’t listen to his team’s critics and pushed his boys forward. Earle’s team overcame a nasty 1-4 start to finish the second half of the season 5-0, just missing the postseason. While the record won’t be remembered, the fight that this program put up should.
Earl Garcia – Hillsborough High School
History ruled the season for Terriers Head Coach Earl Garcia, as his squad not only made another trip to the playoffs, but Garcia himself clinched win number 200. Garcia is one of the most brilliant minds in area football and it showed over the course of 2011 with big wins in big games.
David Mitchell – Wharton High School
Who on Earth thought we’d be discussing Wharton football at length this year? Probably not many outside the North Tampa region, but the Wildcats showed up to play in 2011. Under Mitchell’s guidance, Wharton overcame a two game losing streak with three straight wins to close the season, and pushed themselves into the postseason hunt But the celebration was short lived, as the Wildcats made a trip to the playoffs where it would lose 35-14 to Orlando powerhouse Dr. Phillips.
Honorable Mentions: Mike Gottham (Durant), Jayson Roberts (TBT), Brian Turner (Sickles), Floyd Graham (Steinbrenner), Wayne Ward (Plant City)
Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter: @JeffOdomBCP