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Hubbard Hired As Blake's Football Coach

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By NICK WILLIAMS

nwilliams@tampatrib.com

Published: February 2, 2009

Updated: 02/02/2009 11:12 pm

TAMPA - When he was removed from his coaching duties at Middleton in December, Harry Hubbard was put into an unfamiliar situation.

A longtime football coach, his life was out of place. He wasn't coaching, he couldn't prepare for the next season and didn't know if, or when, he would coach again.
Hubbard said he prayed for an opportunity to coach again, and on Monday, was given that chance when Blake principal Jacqueline Haynes called to offer him the school's football coaching job.

"I'm excited," Hubbard said. "It's been an experience walking around not coaching. I want to thank Mrs. Haynes and the administration for giving me the opportunity to be the head coach there."
Hubbard replaces Sean Washington, who resigned after three years. The Yellow Jackets went 1-9 in 2008.

Although it was outscored 263-70, Blake graduated only 11 players and returns a group of young players who played significant roles on last season's team. Quarterback Eugene Davenport, a 6-foot, 175-pound sophomore, had 866 passing yards and 211 rushing yards.

Student-athletes transferring to nearby schools have been detrimental to Blake's program, which has made one playoff appearance since reopening in 1997.

"Coach Hubbard knows Hillsborough County," Haynes said. "He has had winning seasons, he's signed a lot of players to college and he can rebuild our program. He's a good fit."

During his seven years at Middleton, Hubbard had a 38-33 record. In 2004, he led the program to the Class 4A-Region 3 final.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 259-7851.

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