Thirteen head coaching positions have been available since the final whistle blew in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. There have been some surprises, and some that qualify as a no-brainer. It has been a very good time for coordinators as well with nearly all of the new hires having served at the position last year. Only Middleton’s Alonzo Ashwood (former RB’s Coach at Hillsborough) served at some other position on staff.

What next for these gentlemen? Who has the best chance of succeeding right away? Who has the unenviable task of turning water into wine? BCP takes a quick look at the jobs ahead from most attractive to least. Jobs were rated based on several criteria including previous years results, underclassmen returning, and importantly what “outside” factors such as district schedule, community support, etc. could play a role moving forward.

1. Jefferson: It’s pretty obvious that Jefferson has reached the point of reload, not rebuild with regards to talent on the field. Jeremy Earle’s biggest task may be to keep the good folks of Carver City from expecting another 15-0 run to the State Championship. If this happens to be the biggest problem, some pretty amazing things could go down for the Dragons this season. Earle was the natural choice to succeed Mike Fenton.

 

2. Tampa Bay Tech: Although C.C. Culpepper has made his way out west to Louisiana, it has not stopped his protege Jayson Roberts form taking control of the Titan Empire after serving as the defensive coordinator. Roberts plans on tweaking the Triple Option to better fit the athletes around him. Something there isn’t much shortage of at all. Tech should not see much of a drop-off whatsoever as they head into a wide-open district.

 

3. Gaither: The Cowboys might have gone 3-7 last year, but they have no problems finding the talent to compete. They simply need to find the right battle plan. Jason Stokes moves over form Middleton to take over a program that some have labeled a sleeping giant in North Hillsborough. Their district doesn’t have a clear-cut favorite, so this could be the year to gain a full head of steam.

 

4. Boca Ciega: The first of the Pinellas schools cracks the Top 5 in terms of attractiveness and deservedly so. Bogey has the ability to put together one of the most talented squads on a yearly basis, they just seem to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory more often than not. Again, it’s not for lack of talent of skill. Antez Brinson (former Lakewood OC) will have weapons. Can he shoot them straight? Watch out if he can…

 

5. Alonso: This one may make you a little surprised, but I’ve always believed that the Ravens possess the ability to succeed for a couple of different reasons. First, Anthony Chickillo and Tyree Clark proved that you don’t need to be on a state championship team to get big-time offers and go to the next level. Second, there’s nothing stopping Alonso from making a run at the playoffs as part of a 4-team district. HC Brian Emanuel should have some weapons to ensure a better than 4-7 record.

6. Saint Petersburg Catholic: The only position not filled as of now, but an attractive one for some very obvious reasons. Ryan Green will be one of the Bay Area’s best in the smaller schools, as well as not having to fight the public school boundaries is always a plus. The major problem is that they went 1-9 and now have CCC, Tampa Catholic, and Berkeley Prep in their district. Still, I’m telling you this is an intriguing job.

 

7. Dunedin: Yeah I said it. Believe it or not, this area of North Pinellas is deep. The Falcons could fly as high as they want to. If anybody had the patience to deal with coaching there. It’s not just Dunedin either though. It’s a Pinellas thing. Specifically, the dirty birds had to deal with a pretty tough district during their leanest years and that didn’t help. They’re in the right class, but their district is a gauntlet. Otherwise, they’d be up towards the top of this list.

 

8. East Bay: The Indians have someone different leading them for the first time in 17 years. That’s bound to make for a bit of a culture shock regardless of the pieces in place, or the fact they hired their DC Frank LaRosa. They were only 1-9 last year, but they’ve got athletes out there in Gibsonton. Nothing says they can’t be competitive though.

 

9. Middleton: I believe in Coach Ashwood. I really do. I feel that Middleton could either shock the world really good or disturbingly underachieve.  That’s an awfully big set of dice they’re rolling with. Lady luck will need to make quite a few appearances to get them through a season fully focused and without any major obstacles.

 

10. Palm Harbor University: Matt Lepain makes the move over from Largo where he was the DC. The Hurricanes are finally to a point with their program that people will at least pay attention. It’s not easy to win at that school with it’s emphasis on seemingly everything BUT football. If Lepain’s Staff brings the same work ethic and vision, PHU may be more enticing than it seems. They’re in a 4-team district that could see them in the playoffs if they stay healthy.

11. Northeast: The great enigma of Pinellas County. The Vikings seem to have some athletes, but why does 5-5 and only losing to Manatee by 3 touchdowns int he 1st rd of the playoffs feel like a moral victory? Not a good sign when the former HC is on a popular morning show claiming how the administration did nothing to make your job any easier either. All of this equals too many questions to be answered in order to seem like a good fit.

 

12. Gibbs: The Gladiators are now on their 3rd coach in as many years after Yusif Shakir left for Tallahassee Lincoln, and then Donnie Abraham left to go work for the Tampa Bay Storm. Gibbs’ issues are probably well-beyond football, but they’re a proud bunch. Someone will rally the troops and that someone is Antonio Knox. May be a while before we see it though and as we’ve established, it’s no picnic coaching in Pinellas County. Especially in South St Petersburg.

 

13. Leto: What were you expecting? The bigger story is not WHO or HOW he became coach, but WHY would he want to  become coach. Well it’s not that bad, but it’s nothing short of a miracle if the Falcons win more than 3 games without the benefit of a forfeit. Matt Kitchie from Land O’ Lakes makes his way over to the Falcons Nest and will need the full support of all around him to get through the leanest of times of there right now.