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Riverview's O'Regan Steps Down

Tribune file photo by BILL WARD (2005)

Riverview head football coach Dan O'Regan has resigned his position after five seasons with the Sharks. O'Regan confirmed Saturday he submitted his resignation Friday and informed his team of the decision prior to practice. O'Regan cited personal and health reasons.

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By ADAM ADKINS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 18, 2008

RIVERVIEW - Riverview head football coach Dan O'Regan has resigned his position after five seasons with the Sharks.

O'Regan confirmed Saturday he submitted his resignation Friday and informed his team of the decision prior to practice. O'Regan cited personal and health reasons for the decision. He declined further comment.

O'Regan, who took over the Riverview program in 2003, went 32-20 during his tenure, 5-5 in his final season, and led the Sharks to a playoff appearance in 2005.

Bruce Gifford, a Sharks assistant the past three years and defensive coordinator the past two, has been named the interim head coach for the remainder of spring drills, which conclude Thursday with a spring jamboree at Brandon against East Bay.

Gifford conducted the Sharks' intrasquad game Saturday at J. Vince Thompson Stadium, a game O'Regan attended to watch his son, Alex, a rising senior quarterback with the Sharks.

O'Regan walked onto the field with the team and remained there prior to the 10 a.m. start, walking around to greet several players while also chatting with the Sharks assistants and the officials. O'Regan then moved up to the press box for the game and served as the clock operator.

Gifford said O'Regan addressed the team in the locker room prior to Saturday's scrimmage, which was won by the Blue team, 18-6.

"He let them know where he was coming from and had a real good talk with the team," Gifford said, adding the team has responded well despite the news. "You can see we had a great scrimmage today."

Gifford, who spent 12 years as an assistant in Tallahassee and two years as an assistant at Durant prior to coming to Riverview, said he will formally apply for the head coaching position. The job is expected to be posted after spring drills conclude.

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or aadkins@tampatrib.com.

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