By Andy Villamarzo
BROOKSVILLE- Just a mere two seasons at the helm, Rob Walden will be vacating the Central Bears head coaching job and the school will be once again searching for a replacement.
The former middle school head coach stepped down as Central’s football coach, confirmed by Walden and school athletic director Al Sorrentino on Thursday afternoon. Now Central will start its search for a new head coach immediately, as the school has already posted the job online for applicants to apply. “There were several reasons but the main reason is that my kids are getting older and starting to get involved in competitive sports and I want to make sure I have the time to coach them,” Walden said about his reasons to step down as Central’s head coach.
It was a brief tenure for Walden as the head coach at Central, as he lasted two seasons and went 3-13 through 16 games. The Bears during Walden’s time scored 208 points and allowed 572 at an average of 35.7 points per game. Central’s only three wins were over Umatilla, New Port Richey Gulf and Belleview. This last 2020 season was especially tough on the Bears, as the program scored one touchdown all season long and were out-scored 240 to 6. The spring wasn’t necessarily better for Central either, as they lost in jamboree matchups against Gulf and Mount Dora.
“Rob (Walden) stood out from a host of candidates with his passion for the game of football and the energy he brings,” Sorrentino said about Walden in 2019 at the time of his hiring. “He has a reputation as a hard working, detail oriented coach. We are excited to have him lead our team on the rise.”
A number of potential candidates come to mind when it comes to the vacancy, as the North Suncoast has had openings annually that get quickly filled. Former Springstead/Hernando coach Bill Vonada comes to mind, along with former Pasco coach Tom McHugh and former Gulf/Ridgewood coach Jay Fulmer.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo
