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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 5, 2002
TAMPA -- After a season of coaching the first-year Alonso Ravens, former NFL assistant John Fontes has decided to move on.
It wasn't an easy decision for Fontes, Alonso athletic director Louis Diaz said, but it wasn't exactly a tough one, either. Diaz said Fontes left on Friday to pursue a career as the University of Central Florida's defensive backs coach.
"It wasn't a decision he made lightly, but I don't see how he could have passed up the opportunity," Diaz said. "He met with the team, and the kids took it pretty hard."
Fontes, younger brother of former Detroit Lions head coach Wayne Fontes, was the Minnesota Vikings linebackers coach before taking over at Alonso.
Fontes began his coaching career in California as a high school assistant and also coached at Northwestern, Miami, LSU and UCF. He also was the defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Storm in 1991 and was an assistant with the Detroit Lions from 1992-96.
In 2001, Fontes helped the Ravens endure scoring 13 points in an 0-10 season.
"He was an amazing coach," Diaz said. "Even when the kids were getting their teeth kicked in every week, he made them believe in themselves. For that, we thank him."
John Merini, UCF assistant athletic director for media relations, could not confirm Fontes' hiring.
Fontes could not be reached for comment. On Monday, Diaz said Fontes had left for Orlando.
Ravens assistant Lee Meitzler was named interim head coach until a formal search can be conducted. Meitzler, a former Hillsborough assistant, was hired as Fontes' first assistant.
"We feel lucky to have someone like Lee here to take over, especially after we're still shell-shocked (from Fontes' departure)," Diaz said. "He hasn't told us whether or not he wants to become a candidate for the full-time coach. We'll worry about that when the time comes."