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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 22, 2008

Copeland Out As Wharton Hoops Coach

Comer Copeland is no longer the Wharton boys varsity basketball coach.

Wharton athletic director Michael Rowan said it was agreed among Copeland, the principal and himself that another coach should take over the program.

"They wanted to move in a different direction," Copeland said.

"Coach Copeland did a wonderful job for us," Rowan said. "At the end of the season, it was what it was."

Copeland, formerly the program's JV coach, was hired last fall to replace longtime coach Tommy Tonelli, who accepted a position with the University of South Florida's men's program. After reaching the Class 5A region final with a 29-2 record in 2007, the Wildcats finished this past season 15-14 and lost to Ridgewood in the 5A region quarterfinals.

"I'm not doing any more coaching," Copeland said. "I'm not going to get back into it."

Rowan said he has begun the interviewing process for a new coach and plans to announce the hire next week.

DAIRY FARMERS: Jose DaCosta, who led the Tampa Prep boys soccer program to its second consecutive 2A state title this season, was awarded the state's top coaching honor Wednesday when he was named Florida's Coach of the Year by the Florida Dairy Farmers.

DaCosta, who resigned his position after the season, led the Terrapins to a 27-2-2 record in 2007-08. In 14 seasons, DaCosta posted a 244-87-33 record with Tampa Prep and won three state championships, all in his final four seasons.

Meanwhile, Wharton boys tennis coach Marcie Scholl was named the state's 3A coach of the year Wednesday and is now up for the state's top coaching honor, which is given annually by the Florida Dairy Farmers.

Scholl led the Wildcats in April to the 3A state championship, the program's first boys tennis title.

Adam Adkins, Nick Williams

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