BROOKSVILLE - Athletic director Matt Smith had the perfect candidate to coach Hernando's team.
The person had 20 years of experience coaching youth and travel ball and spent the past three seasons as a Leopards varsity assistant.
All Smith had to do was convince Doug Rogers to take the job.
"At first, he wasn't sure if he was interested," Smith said, (then) "he decided he wanted to take it."
Rogers, 52, was hired Tuesday to replace Angie Svagerko, who left after one season to accept a position as a physical education teacher at Cotee River Elementary in New Port Richey.
Before accepting the post, Rogers, an electrician, had to decide whether he had time in his schedule to devote himself fully to the job.
"They had to turn my arm a little bit," Rogers said. "But I had talked to (former coach) Ernie (Chatman) and (assistant) Jug Olmstead.
"We talked it over, and we all thought it would be a good fit," Rogers said.
Rogers was among five candidates who applied for the position, which pays a $2,468 supplemental salary.
Each had coached summer softball. But Rogers' familiarity with Hernando's program and players and the operations at Tom Varn Park, site of the Leopards' home games, made him the top candidate.
"He's done a great job the last three years he's been helping us out," Smith said.
"He's been a great coach up to this point, and with him deciding he wanted to take over as the head coach, I felt that it was in our best interest to go with him."
Rogers' short-term goal is to work toward the district championship and get the program back on track after last season's 11-17 finish.
Eventually, he would like to see Hernando return to the success it enjoyed under Chatman, who guided the Leopards to the state semifinals in 2000-2001.
Hernando returns a strong nucleus from last season, including pitcher Krystle Knott, infielder Whitney Masingale and outfielder Sophia Gill.
In addition, Rogers' daughter, Ashley, a pitcher, is back after sitting out last season for personal reasons.
"I think we'll be right around there, knocking on the door," Rogers said. "I think we can compete with the rest of them around the area."
Hernando filled its final varsity opening when it named former junior varsity boys basketball and softball coach James Derrico its girls weightlifting coach.
Derrico, who teaches science, will earn a $1,401 supplemental salary.
"I talked to him, and he feels like his specialty would be in weightlifting," Smith said.
"In college I believe he did weightlifting, and it was something he was interested in and it worked out great," Smith said.
- Frank Pastor can be reached at 800 333-7505, ext. 1430. Send e-mail to pastor@sptimes.com
