Chris Bounnell will miss spring practice because he wants to spend more time with his wife and daughter.
By JAMAL THALJI
Published May 5, 2004
ZEPHYRHILLS - Chris Bounnell wants to be a coach, and a dad. But what he wants most of all is more time to do both.
But there are only so many hours in the day. So for the first time in 12 years, the longtime Zephyrhills assistant won't be at spring practice.
Instead, Bounnell is taking a hiatus from football to spend more time with wife, Diane, and 6-year-old daughter Sydney.
"I was used to making football pretty much a priority, but the priority changes when you have a child," he said. "I've found my family duties have just gotten so much that it was a situation where I wasn't able to give 100 percent to either.
"It just wasn't acceptable to me to short change anybody. I felt like I was the last one to get on the field and the first one to leave, and I don't think that's good."
Bounnell has not resigned officially, nor has he committed to returning in the fall.
For the time being, his status is unknown, and it will stay that way until Bounnell makes a final decision this summer.
"As far as I'm concerned, it can be whatever he wants it to be," coach Tom Fisher said. "He's welcome back whenever he wants to. He just hasn't been able to work it out timewise because of his family obligations."
Said Bounnell: "Tom and the administration are giving me the time off, and everyone's been very understanding."
Bounnell, a biology teacher, said losing a weightlifting period during school for football team members has left him with less coaching time - and there's no family time to spare.
"I'm always just rushing, rushing, rushing," Bounnell said. "By the time we've had dinner and a bath and homework and play time and by bedtime, I still haven't watched film."
Bounnell has been a fixture of the Bulldogs football program since he arrived in 1991. In 2000, Bounnell and Fisher switched coordinator jobs. Fisher took over the defense, while Bounnell started calling offensive plays.
Fisher said he decided before the spring to assume offensive coordinator duties, but now he'll also act as defensive coordinator until Bounnell makes a decision.
Bounnell also has not yet decided whether to return as boys weightlifting coach next year.
"Professionally, I'm pretty sad," Bounnell said. "Personally, it's pretty good to have time off, to be honest, to do what you have to do and not be rushed."
