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Zephyrhills' Fisher Retires After 20 seasons, 124 Wins

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By BART O'CONNELL

Tribune correspondent

Published: December 2, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - Tom Fisher, who transformed the Zephyrhills High football program into one of the best in Pasco County over 20 seasons as head coach, stepped down Monday at the Bulldogs' season-ending banquet, bringing to an end the most successful football era in school history.

The 56-year old Fisher, who has coached high school football for 32 of the last 34 years, did not go into specifics as to why he is ready to walk away from the program he guided to eight playoff appearances and a 124-84 record since 1989. He plans to continue teaching physical education at the school, as he has done for the last 26 years.

"There are several reasons – some good and some bad," he said. "I just want to concentrate on some other things … things I've never had time to do while I was coaching. I want this decision to be seen as a positive thing.

"Someone else needs to take on this challenge."

Fisher described the decision as a "built-up thing", something he had been considering for a couple years. Zephyrhills athletic director Craig Milburn said he had been aware of Fisher's intentions for two weeks, following a 3-0 loss to Ridgewood in his final game. Immediately following the game Fisher was asked about possible retirement but said he had not made a decision.

The announcement was startling to many of the players in attendance, as well as coaches who heard the news on Tuesday.

"I think he caught everybody in shock because there had been no inclination," Milburn said.

"It's a pretty sad day," said Land O' Lakes coach John Benedetto, who faced Fisher 17 times as an opposing coach. "Probably the one person who has done so much more with so little. That's what's made him a great coach I think."

The search for Fisher's replacement will not begin until Principal Gerri Painter returns to town next week at the earliest. Fisher said he would be willing to assist in a coaching search if asked.

"I probably will make it one of my priorities, to bring on an outstanding football coach. That's one thing I'd like to do," said Milburn.

"He's always been there and it's going to be difficult to think about Zephyrhills football without him leading it," said Pasco coach Tom McHugh.

Fisher's retirement also creates a third opening for a varsity football coach in Pasco County. Scott Schmitz retired at Mitchell immediately following this season and a coach has yet to be named for Anclote River High, opening next year.

When asked if he would ever consider a return to coaching, Fisher said, "You never know."

Overcoming the Odds

Fisher was known for his no-nonsense demeanor on and off the field, rugged practice style and aggressive defenses. He took traditionally small groups of players (often 35 or less on the varsity roster) and from the beginning of his tenure, showed an uncanny ability to maximize their talent. It was a compliment he received year after year from his peers and adversaries in coaching.

"We played people I feel like had more athletes, but we not only competed against them, we beat them," said Milburn. "I think that's largely because of Coach Fisher and his coaching abilities."

The Zephyrhills football program had gone 47 years without a state playoff appearance until Fisher's arrival, making it in his first season. His eight postseason appearances overall rank second-most in county history behind Benedetto (16). His two wins rank third all-time.

He sent players on athletic scholarships to Florida's "Big Three" football schools, Florida (Bryan Thomas), Florida State (Brett Cimorelli) and Miami (Booker Pickett). But he was equally proud of those he sent to Yale (Tommy McCloud), Furman (Sederrik Cunningham) and numerous Division II and III schools.

The most successful player under Fisher was linebacker and defensive lineman Ryan Pickett. Pickett started as a freshman at Ohio State, left after his junior season to play professionally and was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. He now is in his eighth professional season, currently a defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers. His jersey number (79) was retired on homecoming at Bulldog Stadium this year, making Pickett the first player ever to have a number retired at the school.

"I've just been fortunate enough to have good kids and good talent, so I wouldn't want to single anyone out or leave anyone out," Fisher said. "And my assistant coaches over the years have been very, very instrumental. It's not me. It's the program."

A Long Road

A native of Salem, Ohio, Fisher graduated from Bowling Green in Kentucky in 1974 and went into high school coaching in his hometown a year later.

With a system heavily influenced by the coaching styles of college icons Paul "Bear" Bryant of Kentucky and Alabama, Woody Hayes of Ohio State and more recently, Urban Meyer of Bowling Green, Utah and Florida, Fisher came to the state in 1977. He was an assistant for 12 seasons, including two at Bradenton Southeast (1977-78), four at Pasco (1979-82) and four at Zephyrhills (1985-88).

In April, 1989, Fisher was picked to replace Barry Gardner at Zephyrhills.

The first of his two postseason wins came in 1997, in his fourth try, a 7-0 win against Crystal River and legendary Citrus County coach Earl Bramlett. His teams also made the playoffs in 1993, 1995 (a 10-0 regular season), 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2006.

Fisher was 9-8 in his head-to-head meetings with Benedetto, Pasco's all-time winningest coach. No other coach has more wins against the Gators' coach and only McHugh (2-0) has a better record against him.

"He's a great competitor," Benedetto said. "We're going to miss that competitiveness from him. He's probably given us more problems than any other coach has, especially defensively."

Fisher also compiled a 10-12 record against Pasco in the "Nine-Mile Rivalry", the oldest football series in the county. Zephyrhills was 7-22 against Pasco prior to his arrival.

Fisher conceded the job will be a challenge to whoever replaces him, but said there are few jobs as attractive or rewarding in the area.

"It's a great job, a great community. The small-town atmosphere is a great atmosphere," he said. "And I definitely think it is the most stable job in Pasco County."

The program will undoubtedly have a different feel without Fisher.

"Whenever you think of Zephyrhills football, what do you think of first? I don't think of Ryan Pickett or some of the great players who went trough there," McHugh said. "The first thing I think of is, that's Coach Fisher's team."

Staff Writer Eddie Daniels contributed to this report. Bart O'Connell can be reached at tampasport@gmail.com.

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