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EMILY NIPPSKelly McArdle cites health issues, including "debilitating headaches,' as reason for leaving.
After turning Hillsborough's struggling softball program into a respectable .500 team, six-year coach Kelly McArdle resigned Monday.
The 39-year-old cited health concerns, including "debilitating headaches," as her reason for leaving. Although she had not addressed her team directly, McArdle said she was certain most of her players knew she was leaving and she wished them the best.
"I want to thank (former athletic director) Tom Rao for giving me the opportunity to coach at Hillsborough," McArdle said. "I hope that the program finds what they're looking for."
McArdle joined the Terriers in 1997 after serving as interim head coach at Saint Leo. She was also an assistant at River Ridge (1994-95) and head coach at Gaither (1991-93).
A former player and co-captain at South Florida in 1987, McArdle spent time as a player/coach for the Tampa Bay Wave women's fast-pitch team.
Although McArdle was unable to lead the Terriers to the region tournament, Hillsborough often was considered the Cinderella team of its district and came within a run or two of advancing.
McArdle, a physical education teacher at Sulpher Springs Elementary, plans to tend to her health before pursuing another coaching job.
But, "I'd like to leave that door open," she said.