By Kyle LoJacono
Former Land O’ Lakes High football coach Matt Kitchie has been hired as the offensive coordinator at Hillsborough High. Kitchie confirmed the move Jan. 22.
“On to greener pastures,” Kitchie wrote in a text message.
Kitchie spent the last two seasons with the Gators, compiling a 17-3 record. He was dismissed as the coach by Pasco County Superintendent Heather Fiorentino just before school let out for the winter break, but kept his job as a physical education teacher.
Kitchie had been suspended indefinitely for the way he handled an off the field incident during homecoming week, according to Land O’ Lakes principal Ric Mellin. He missed the last regular season game and first playoff contest.
The Gators (9-2) were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round to eventual Class 3A state champion Jefferson High, the second straight year the Dragons have eliminated Land O’ Lakes. Kitchie will have another shot to defeat Jefferson as Hillsborough and the Dragons will be in the same district starting next season.
Kitchie will also be the quarterback coach at Hillsborough. He brought a high-powered spread offense to Land O’ Lakes two seasons ago, which averaged 38.3 points and 385.1 yards per game in 2010.
Hillsborough (8-4) averaged 22.8 points and 212.4 yards per game last season. The Terriers also made the regional tournament and advanced to the second round, where they were eliminated to eventual 4A state runner-up Armwood High.
-All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches.
