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Terrapins' Goal: 3 Straight Titles

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By NICHOLAS J.E. MURRAY nmurray@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2008

TAMPA - For new Tampa Prep coach Doug Smith, the transition from assistant to head coach has been relatively painless when it comes to on-field duties.

Away from the field? Well, that's a different story.

"It's been difficult, but more because of the logistical side of scheduling, ordering gear and everything else," Smith said. "The coaching has been great, but all the logistical stuff that comes with it, I didn't realize what that was all about."

Smith was one of the assistants of former Terrapins' head coach Jose DaCosta the past two seasons when the team won consecutive state titles. When DaCosta stepped down at the end of the season, Smith says it was a natural instinct for him to apply to be his replacement.

Tampa Prep's players are happy he was selected to lead them as the Terrapins go for a third straight Class 2A title.

"It was definitely a shock after Coach DaCosta said he was leaving," forward Wes Sever said. "But knowing that Coach Smith would be the one coming up, that definitely helped."

The familiarity and ease the team feels with Smith is evident. Sever even lapsed into calling him his nickname, "Smitty," before correcting himself with a laugh. Anthony Baumann says that sort of atmosphere may not have existed if a coach from outside the Tampa Prep staff had been selected.

"We all have the same mentality, the same way of doing things," Baumann said. "We all know what we want to do."

Despite the losses of players such as Brad Sienkiewicz and Ryan Griffin from last season's Terrapins roster, there is still a belief this team can emulate its predecessors.

"The confidence level is still there, we're going to have the same kind of season," Baumann said. "That just gives me, Alex Tuch and Wes more of the burden on our shoulders to lead to team, but we have great young guys. Everyone plays, everyone knows how to play."

Smith said he hopes players like Tuch, Sever and Baumann, who will be stepping into greater roles of leadership, don't pressure themselves too much. But with that in mind, Sever, who along with Tuch was named last week to tryouts for the U.S. Under-18 National Team in December, said he is enjoying the experience of being someone the rest of the team looks to.

"It's just been a great experience," Sever said. "All these guys are my best friends, so having that leadership, and people looking up to me is really good. It's exciting knowing that the team looks up to me."

Does that mean the Terrapins will win a third straight state championship? Smith and his players say that is the overriding goal for the season.

"The program is at a level now where we have our goals and objectives, and our goal, as I imagine the goal of every other high school team in the area and the state, is to win the state championship," Smith said. "That's our long-term goal. There are many, many smaller goals in between that long-term goal as far as how we get there and the means we use to get there, but that's the ultimate goal. That doesn't change no matter who's playing and who's coaching."

Nicholas J.E. Murray can be reached at (813) 259-8243.

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