Hillsborough's Garcia, Boca Ciega's Thomas Named Bucs Coach Of The Week

Hillsborough High School's Coach Earl Garcia and Boca Ciega's Stevie Thomas have been named the Buccaneers ninth and tenth Coaches of the Week, respectively, for the 2007 season. Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden presented Garcia and Thomas with commemorative certificates and personalized footballs following the Bucs' morning practice at One Buccaneer Place. Garcia's wife Gilda and Hillsborough High academic coach Charlie Diaz accompanied him on a tour of the team's state-of-the-art headquarters prior to practice. Thomas was joined by Boca Ciego assistant coach Patrick Walton, assistant principal Portia Slaughter and student athletes Orhian Johnson, Ja-Vonta Trotter, Erick Clayton, Johnny Hartsfield, Mundrae Francis, George Durant and Aaron Kincy. Each coach will receive $1,000 for his high school football program and will be featured on Buccaneers.com and NFLHS.com.

Garcia, who has been a high school coach for 33 years, was selected following the week of Oct. 28 through Nov. 3 but was honored today due to the Buccaneers practice schedule during last week's bye. Garcia has led his team to the playoffs 14 of the last 15 football seasons.

Coincidentally, this week's honored coach, Thomas, played football for Garcia at Boca Ciego in 1972 and 1973. Now Thomas, in his second year as head coach at his alma mater, has guided his team into the playoffs.

The Buccaneers honored ten high school coaches from West Central and Central Florida during this year's prep football season. A Coach of the Year will be selected from the ten weekly winners at the end of the season and will receive an additional $1,000 for his football program. The Buccaneers and National Football League's Coach of the Week program aids in the development of youth football, which has a positive influence on young athletes and the communities in which they live. For more information on Tampa Bay Buccaneers' youth football initiatives, visit www.buccaneers.com.