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Wharton Assistant Goodman Dies

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By NICK WILLIAMS

nwilliams@tampatrib.com

Published: November 9, 2008

Friday night, the Wharton football team celebrated its 42-35 win against Gaither that gave the Wildcats the Class 5A-District 5 title.

Less than 24 hours later, they were grieving.

Saturday morning, Wharton defensive coordinator Earl Goodman died from a heart attack, Coach David Mitchell said.

Mitchell said Goodman, Wharton's defensive coordinator the past four years, was 55.

According to Mitchell, Goodman was found lying on the ground inside a park where he worked. He said the park was near King High.

"They called 911 and couldn't revive him," Mitchell said.

Mitchell called a team meeting Saturday at 2 p.m. to alert players and staff.

"There is a big cloud over us now," Mitchell said. "Earl was a hard-working man who had a big heart. Kids were the center of his heart."

Goodman led one of the toughest defenses in Hillsborough County. In 2006, Wharton allowed just 60 points and posted five shutouts. Goodman had also been an assistant coach at King.
Wharton is 8-2 and has a bye this week.

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