Girls Soccer: Freedom’s Hinkle Done as Coach

Posted Feb 3, 2010 by Jarrett Guthrie

Updated Feb 3, 2010 at 05:28 PM

TAMPA - Freedom girls soccer coach Chris Hinkle has informed school administration he will not return as head coach next season. Hinkle, who has coached the Patriots for four seasons said he will finish out the school year as a teacher in the social studies department, but will not return next year.

The Patriots were eliminated from the state tournament last night in the region semifinals by Venice, which defeated Freedom 5-1.

The Patriots defeated Manatee 5-0 in last Thursday’s region quarterfinal, giving the coach his first region win.
Hinkle is coming off his most successful season as the Patriots’ head coach as Freedom went 13-4-4 and captured the school its first district title defeating Hillsborough 5-0 in the Class 5A, district 9 final.

“The district championship meant a lot to me,” Hinkle said. “I saw this group of seniors all the way through and this was just truly enjoyable to get to see them win that game.”

Twice named a Western Conference Coach of the Year, Hinkle posted a 44-13-9 record in his four seasons as head coach. He said he made the decision to leave prior to this seasons district tournament.

“I’m going after some other personal goals that I have,” Hinkle said. “I hope I have at least another 50 years of life left in me and I can coach a lot during that time, but right now I just have some personal goals I’d like to meet.”

Hinkle, 27, was a four year varsity soccer player at Zephyrhills High School and a captain his senior season and he is a graduate of Florida State University. Hinkle has also coached at the club level as a head and assistant coach for Blackwatch from 2006-10 and a coach for the newly formed Fusion Futbol Club.