Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Preps

Wharton tabs ex-Storm player

TAMPA -- Former Tampa Bay Storm defensive back Melvin Cunningham on Thursday was named the new coach at Wharton High.

Cunningham, 29, replaces former Buccaneer Richard "Batman' Wood," who accepted a position in January to coach the defensive line with Frankfurt of NFL Europe. Wood built the six-year program from a perennial loser into a Class 5A state semifinalist last season when the Wildcats finished 13-2.

Wharton athletic director Lanness Robinson and principal George Gaffney chose Cunningham from approximately a dozen candidates based on his experience as a defensive back with Marshall University and two years as a prep head coach in West Virginia. Much like Wood at Wharton, Cunningham took over a program that had lost 40 games in a row and produced a 7-3 record by his second season at Tug Valley High.

"I was looking for someone who could build a program, not just coach football," Robinson said. "He's been around some successful programs and I think he was able to take and use some of those attributes, according to his references, as a head coach in West Virginia. I think his personality will work well with the kids."

Cunningham dislocated his knee last season playing for the Storm and decided to teach and coach fulltime. He is certified as a special education (exceptional student) teacher and also has an elementary education degree. Wharton administrators are hopeful Cunningham will have a teaching spot at the school.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright