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Bloomingdale Names Football Coach

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 24, 2009

NEWS AND NOTES

Bulls Name Football Coach

Two months ago, John Booth contemplated moving back to Florida and coaching high school sports.

A Bradenton native, he searched the Florida High School Athletic Association's classified page and stumbled upon an advertisement for the head football coaching position at Bloomingdale High, "not thinking too much about it," Booth said.

But after two successful interviews with the Bloomingdale administration, the school announced on Monday that Booth, 26, will be the Bulls' new coach.

"We feel that Coach Booth has the character, integrity and work ethic to lead our team and that he brings unique experiences that will help him be a positive role model for our student-athletes," Bloomingdale AD Danielle Shotwell said.

Booth replaces Jason Stokes, who resigned after one season to pursue the same position at Middleton. The Bulls are coming off their first winning season (6-5) and a trip to the Class 5A region quarterfinals as the 5A-District 7 runner-up.

Booth coached collegiately for two seasons at MidAmerica Nazarene University, an NAIA program in Olathe, Kan., serving as wide receivers coach, junior varsity offensive coordinator and weightlifting coach. He also played QB for the Pioneers.

MORE FOOTBALL

Orson Charles left for USC on Friday thinking the Trojans weren't for him. After spending the weekend with Coach Pete Carroll and the rest of the coaching staff, USC became a viable option for the Plant wideout.

The trip to USC was Charles' fifth and final one and now he's prepared to sit down and make a decision. Charles, who also took trips to FSU, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, said he will eliminate one or possibly two of the schools on Wednesday. He's already eliminated FSU from consideration.

Charles has tentatively scheduled March 6 as the date he will make his announcement.

•Brandon senior DB DeAndre Bowers has committed to Texas A&M-Commerce, a Division II program, Eagles coach John Lima announced.

Bowers picked up the offer at the recent recruiting fair at East Bay High. Lima said it was one of multiple offers for the Eagles standout, who had 31 tackles and one interception in 2008 after making 51 tackles as a junior.

GOLF

Riverview standout Ian McConnell has verbally committed to Auburn.

McConnell, a junior, chose the Tigers over Georgia Southern, Liberty and Colorado. McConnell twice made visits to the campus in Auburn, Ala., and came away impressed after each trip.

BASEBALL

There were two no-hitters in Hillsborough County during the season's opening week.

The first occurred Thursday, when Spoto's George Schmitt struck out 10 over five hitless innings during the Spartans' 10-0 victory against Davenport Ridge Community. The game was shortened to five innings because of the mercy rule.

One night later, Armwood's Robert Benincasa and Tyler Alexander combined on a no-hitter in a 5-0 win over Newsome. Benincasa worked the first six innings, striking out 12, before giving way to Alexander, who struck out the side in the seventh.

•Tonight at Armwood, the Hawks will retire the No. 24 worn by former standout and current Rays outfielder Matt Joyce. A pregame ceremony is scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. prior to the Hawks' game against Bloomingdale

Adam Adkins, Nick Williams,

Katherine Smith

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