After three years, Bo Puckett decides to "pursue some other avenues."
By SCOTT PURKS
Published June 3, 2004
TAMPA - Saying he wanted to spend more time with his family and further his education, Plant baseball coach Bo Puckett resigned Wednesday after three years with the Panthers.
"I've put many, many hours of hard work and, really, my heart and soul into this program," Puckett said. "And all that, while being a wonderful experience, does take a toll. I want to pursue some other avenues now."
Puckett finished as one of the county's most successful coaches the past three seasons, going 69-19, including two appearances in the Tony Saladino Tournament finals with a title this past season, and appearances in the regional playoffs all three seasons.
Within the past few weeks, Plant lost 4-3 to Alonso in a Class 5A regional final, one game from a state semifinal. The Panthers finished the season 24-7.
"I'll miss working with my players because they were really great people," Puckett said. "And who knows, maybe someday I'll work again with some great players."
Plant athletic director Laura Figueredo said this year seemed to be tough on Puckett and that he "wasn't his usual happy self.
"It's a shame that we're losing him as a coach, but I understand that he wants to pursue other things. He said he wanted to get his masters so he could get into (school) administration."
Puckett said the decision had nothing to do with controversy surrounding one of his outfielders, Corey Brown, who in March pleaded no contest to felony battery in a well-publicized case involving allegations of sex with a 14-year-old Plant High girl. The battery charge came with no sexual connotation, and no conviction will appear on his record if he behaves during his probationary period. Soon after Brown's plea, his scholarship to the University of Virginia was revoked.
Puckett, however, decided with the Plant administration to let Brown keep playing. Puckett received plenty of backlash for that but did not back away from his decision.
"Knowing everything I knew about the situation, I believe we made the right decision," Puckett said. "But no, (the Brown situation) has nothing whatsoever to do with this decision (to resign)."
