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Bears' Crognale to quit coaching

The Central coach wants to go back to school and earn a master's degree to further his career.

By FRANK PASTOR
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 23, 2002

BROOKSVILLE -- Forced to choose between remaining a physical education teacher for the foreseeable future or leaving a football program he had grown to love, Steve Crognale chose the latter.

Crognale, who has worked at Central for 12 years, stepped down Friday as football coach but will remain as P.E. teacher to pursue a master's degree in administration.

"Something had to give," Crognale said. "Unfortunately, this time it was football."

Crognale said he has been thinking about the move since last season. He met with principal Dennis McGeehan on Tuesday and announced his decision to the players Friday afternoon.

"Last year at this time I started thinking about it. "Ten years from now you'll be 45, or 15 years from now you'll be 50, and do you still want to be teaching P.E.?"' Crognale said.

Crognale said he took a cue from longtime assistant Mark Griffith, who recently was hired as assistant principal at Fox Chapel Middle School after returning to school.

"That showed me right there the opportunities that he had, not only as a football coach and a science teacher, but he also had some other avenues if he wanted to go that way," Crognale said.

Crognale has a bachelor's degree in physical education from St. Mary's of the Plains. He is looking into schools such as Saint Leo and South Florida, but hasn't decided where he will pursue his postgraduate education.

Crognale coached at Central for 12 years, including the last seven as head coach. During that time the Bears went 41-33 with two district championships and five state playoff appearances.

But his favorite memories are of players and practices.

"The thing I'll miss most is probably preparing for that game Friday night," Crognale said. "Waiting for the game and all of that wasn't that much fun with butterflies and everything."

Crognale, who attended recruiting fairs at Lake Wales and Springstead the past few weekends, waited until his seniors had found colleges before stepping down.

Lineman Willie Winslett signed with Division I-AA Eastern Kentucky last month. Crognale said a second Bears player is expected to announce his decision next week.

McGeehan will advertise for a coach immediately.

"Steve's going to be a tough act to follow," the principal said.

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