The defensive coordinator, who has taught players for 28 seasons, needs a break from the game.
By BOB PUTNAM
Published August 13, 2003
With less than a week to prepare for last season's Time Warner Bowl, Largo defensive coordinator Jim Daugherty scrambled to devise a game plan against Riverview.
Daugherty's blueprint worked, even though he never saw it. A business trip to Nicaragua prevented him from coaching the Packers, who shut down the Sharks in the second half and rallied to win.
"It was kind of strange because I never thought that would be my last game," Daugherty said.
But it was. After coaching football in Pinellas County for 28 years, including the past three as Largo's defensive coordinator, Daugherty decided it was time to walk away.
"I just needed a break," said Daugherty, an investor with a communications company in Nicaragua. "I don't know if I can ever get it out of my system completely, but I just didn't feel like I could devote the necessary time to it anymore. It becomes a full-time job, and you have got to pull back sometimes. That's where I'm at right now."
Largo coach Rick Rodriguez replaced Daugherty with Matt LePain, a former Countryside and Central Florida player who was the defensive coordinator at Cincinnati Moeller High last season.
Rodriguez also hired Lake Wales defensive coordinator Dave Angelo to coach defensive backs, running backs and quarterbacks.
"We had more than 30 applicants for Daugherty's job," Rodriguez said. "It's a tough one to fill. Jim got the most out of the kids and always had them ready to play. A lot of those years he volunteered his time. He'll be missed."
Daugherty, 51, started coaching as an assistant under legendary Tarpon Springs coach Nick Hatzie in 1975. He also was an assistant at Pinellas Park and Osceola.
In 1994 Daugherty joined Rodriguez, then the defensive coordinator at Clearwater. Daugherty coached the defensive backs and combined with Rodriguez to put together top-notch defenses that helped the Tornadoes reach the playoffs in five straight seasons ('95-99).
When Rodriguez left Clearwater three years ago to coach Largo, he hired Daugherty as his defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Using heavy pressure and solid coverage, Largo's defense has ranked among the top five in the county the past three seasons.
College recruiters have noticed the job Daugherty has done. Five of his former defensive backs are playing at Div. I-A or I-AA schools.
"I'm proud of what Rick and I have been able to accomplish the past couple of years," Daugherty said. "We've had some really great defenses and we've gotten a lot of those kids into college."
Daugherty stayed in the spring to ease the transition with the new coaches.
"I wanted to do whatever I could to help," Daugherty said. "That's only fair. And who knows? I might return someday and coach. But right now I just don't have the time."
