Momentum building in Wesley Chapel football search

Posted Jan 20, 2010 by Eddie Daniels

Updated Jan 20, 2010 at 01:19 PM

A five-member committee has begun the process of sifting through nearly 100 applications of those interested in the school’s vacant head football coach slot. According to Athletic Director Steve Mumaw, he hopes the interview process will begin next week with a hiring coming as soon as possible.

The coaching search was kicked off after longtime Wesley Chapel coach John Castelamare, 60, became the most recent victim of the Deferred Retirement Option Program. Castelamare, who opened the program in 1999, earning three district titles, two Sunshine Athletic Conference titles and four playoff appearances, had his final extension year in DROP denied, which essentially forced him off the sideline.

DROP was created to allow teachers nearing retirement to collect their retirement benefits in an alternative manner. It was born out of the shortage of teachers in the state, but in light of recent budget cuts, extensions have been uncommon. The program was intended to last five years with three additional extension years. Each of those additional years must be applied for and approved.

As for the search, plenty of local names have surfaced.

Longtime Wesley Chapel assistant Brian Colding, Land O’ Lakes line coach Tom Carter, Zephyrhills finalist Troy Hochstetler and John Long Middle School AD and football coach Tico Hernandez are some of the Pasco County names.

Here is a sampling of coaches who have applied that may ring a bell:

Former Jesuit coach Joe Ross, former Jesuit head coach and University of Pennsylvania offensive coordinator Bill Schmitz, Former Leto coach Hugh Denhert, Wildwood coach Matthew Thompson, former Central coach Cliff Lohrey, former Gibbs assistant Anthony Givins, Bloomingdale defensive coordinator Melvin Jenkins, Chamberlain defensive coordinator Kirk Carson, Plant City defensive coordinator Corey Kollister and Wharton running backs and kickers coach Andy Martin.

“We’re trying to get this committee to finish their process by the next couple of days so we can start calling and setting up the interviews next week,” Mumaw said. “Depending on how long the interview process or how many people we have to interview, we’d like to hire somebody as soon as possible.”