Zephyrhills narrows coaching search to 15
By Steve Lee
Sports Editor
WESLEY CHAPEL — The inevitable hit Wesley Chapel football coach John Castelamare hard, though he knew it was coming.
Now there are offseason openings at Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills, the latter of which has 15 finalists among 100 applicants.
In his final year of the five-year Deferred Retirement Option Program, Castelamare hoped for an extension. The Pasco School District, which did not grant longtime Land O’ Lakes coach John Benedetto’s request last spring, denied Castelamare too.
“You want to keep on going, but they won’t let you,” Castelamare said. “I knew it was going to be the fifth year, but I was hoping the economy would get better. I’m not bitter. I just wish they would let us continue.”
Castelmare, 60, started the Wesley Chapel program in 1999. He had two unbeaten seasons, three district and two conference championships in 11 seasons with the Wildcats. Including 12 seasons at Ridgewood, his teams went 108-126.
“It was tough to say goodbye to the boys. They all line up and gave me a hug,” said Castelamare, who told his players at a Dec. 11 sports banquet.
Castelamare, a physical education teacher, hopes to coach in the private sector, mentioning Bishop McLaughlin as a possibility. That Catholic school in Spring Hill already has a coach in Marty Williams.
As for the Zephyrhills situation, there are 15 finalists. That list includes county assistants Tom Carter (Land O’ Lakes), Brian Colding (Wesley Chapel) and Tony Lister (Pasco), as well as Troy Hochstetler, a co-coach with Greg Mathis at Zephyrhills this season.
Zephyrhills principal Steve Van Gorden said a nine-member committee would begin interviewing that group on Jan. 11.
15 finalists
The Zephyrhills football coaching search drew 100 applicants and school officials have whittled that list down to 15 men. A nine-member committee will screen those finalists, beginning Jan. 11. Those in contention for the job, along with the school they coach at, are listed below. Schools are not listed for out-of-state coaches.
Name, School
- Nick Carroll Sunlake
- Tom Carter Land O’ Lakes
- Brian Colding Wesley Chapel
- Mike Einsphar Kansas
- Troy Hochstetler Zephyrhills
- Tony Lister Pasco
- Damieon Mills Fort Pierce Westwood
- Mark Nash Hudson
- Kerry Platt Georgia
- Eric Richeson Georgia
- Reggie Roberts Zephyrhills alumnus
- George Templet California
- Gregory Trent Texas
- Rashad West Winter Park
- Mike Penix Zephyrhills
