Every year, there are coaching changes that start to shape the landscape of high school football in south Florida – and after this off season is finished – as many as 17 new coaches will take their place in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
As many schools will see coaches in place this spring for the first time, there are other programs that are still waiting to make a decision that can change the fortune of many schools moving forward.
Broward County, which still has openings at Boyd Anderson, Coconut Creek and Coral Springs, did hire five new head coaches who have already started the process.
The thing that has to be said, and while administration could care less, and that is certainly their right, understanding what makes high school football tick, goes way beyond the fences of their campuses.
Just because someone interviews well and says all the right things is nowhere near what will happen on the football field. Most administrators, if not all, have NO idea how this game is played – and while their deal is getting these young men graduated, and that is the main objective, building winning programs is way beyond their grasp!
Cypress Bay: The Lightning, who are still trying to get back to the successful days of Mark Guandolo, made a huge hire in former St. Thomas Aquinas and Mater Academy head coach Rocco Casullo.
Casullo brings experience and plenty of college ties with him into a position that could prove very lucrative for this program over the next few years. His past success, along with his ties to the community could certainly add up.
McArthur: With Pierre Senatus moving on to Florida Memorial University after leading the Mustangs to a pair of district titles, the hire of former Dolphin Kevin Burnett caught a lot of people by surprise.
In this day of relationships and many, many player moves – you never know how things are going to work out, but this is a program that is certainly one that you can win at – and only time will tell how things move ahead for this program.
Piper: Since David Coleman had the Bengals moving in a positive direction – with post season playoffs – the identity has been a problem in Sunrise. The hire of former Plantation assistant Cedric Alexander is one that will tell in time.
Remember, player movement in this area is among the hottest in the county, and relationships will need to be formed to get this pipeline rolling. Forget the fact that there are plenty of athletes in the area, location is no longer an indicator – especially in south Florida.
South Broward: After a playoff appearance and some building success, a difference in philosophy between former head coach Anthony Collins and administration has brought back former Everglades, South Broward and Cypress Bay head coach Josh Shapiro.
With three-time defending state champion Chanminade-Madonna, Hallandale and Stranahan certainly holding the hot hand with players, winning Dania Beach is no longer the reason why the Bulldogs will be successful. Building the program and holding on to the athletes is essential.
West Broward: Two years ago, Coach Monte Dilworth advanced in the state playoffs with the Bobcats and had plenty of talent. Last year, this program never got any momentum and never established any young prospects. Enter Brian McCartney.
Like Casullo, he comes in with plenty of experience and ties to the community – having served under head coach Adam Ratkevich at Western. This is someone with knowledge, and after growing up in New Mexico, he fully understands the task in front of him. Holding on to players – especially in that area will not be easy!
NEW LOOK FOR SEVERAL MIAMI-DADE SCHOOLS
With Doral Academy and recently opened Hialeah-Miami Lakes still looking for new head coaches, things will certainly be fun for several programs in Miami-Dade County in 2020.
American. With the hiring of former Miami Booker T. Washington and Univerity of Miami standout Demetrius Jackson, the Patriots are looking to build with youth and an aggressive coaching staff that hit the ground running.
Jackson has surrounded himself with coaches who he has watched in the past and has a great feeling about this program moving forward.
Booker T. Washington: The defending 4A state champs, who truly had plenty of talent this past season -after losing 5 starters to 5A state champs Miami Northwestern – understands the game and how to play it. With many of the same faces returning on the field and on the coaching staff, adding Gerald Cox was another huge boost.
The formula is in place, and getting Cox from Coconut Creek to come “home” was a major addition. He knows the landscape and has picked up some valuable experience in Broward County – and while the Tornadoes may lose a few players – you can guarantee that they will replace them just as fast.
Carol City. The Chiefs welcomed their third head coach in as many years when Miami Northwestern grad and coach Dorrean James hopped abard to right the ship that had gone off course the past two years. He had been part of a staff that won three stratight title for the Bulls.
This is a program that will always have talent, and with the addition of several key coaches and top players, the race for 4A will be competitive once again in 2020.
Hialeah: Bringing in Tyronn Johnson to a place where just about every player left after the season was as sound a move as you can make – and the T-Breds are ready to reload.
Keep in mind that many of these programs have long been used as a feeder to area powerhouses, Coach Johnson is well respected in the community, and has proven that he will coach players to their potential and provide a sound environment like he did at Hialeah-Miami Lakes. Vernon Wilder III was also brought in as an Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator.
Miami Beach: For the Hi Tides, it has been a long while since this program has been successful, but with so many positives swirling around the program, the hire of Alex Terry may be as good as you get.
Plenty of experience and knowledge of the game, getting a youth program established is essential – and bringing in athletes who want to compete and get playing time is imperative. They have won in the past, and with positive support from former players and the community, things can return.
Somerset Academy South (Homestead). For first year head coach Andre Daniels and this new program, it’s all about building a culture, and for this former Miami Southridge coach and player, getting the best assistant coaches and building this thing the right way it what it’s all about.
Homestead, Southwest Miami, Southridge and other stops along the way has given him a blueprint to go by. Now, he has to put it all together, and he fully understands that it will take plenty of time to accomplish.
South Miami: If you are looking for a quality hire that went way beneath the radar screen, here is it. Arties Knight is easily one of the most respected football coaches in south Florida. The work he did with the youth programs is truly something that everyone has recognized.
At Miami Southridge, he did his best to keep the athletes around and interested during changes in this program, and with the Cobras he inherits some quality football talent that veteran head coach Rick Munne and his staff built. This is a coach who will indeed have success over time.
Southridge: Easily one of the most recognized programs in Florida – just three years removed from winning an 8A state title, but things have changed and the Spartans are back to the drawing board and looking to rebuild as a 6A program.
With plenty of coaching experience at a number of programs in south Florida, veteran coach Tim Neal is ready for the challenge – and has plenty of support. But being realistic – things will not be easy. The Spartans will long be in a fight for prospects with no less than 6 programs vying for the same impressive talent.