'Canes in need of coach - now

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published January 16, 2005

Palm Harbor University baseball coach Ed Garton resigned Wednesday, leaving the Hurricanes desperate for a replacement just a week before practice starts.

Garton, an assistant coach at Berkeley Prep last season, told PHU athletic director Bob Heintz some business opportunities arose "that he couldn't pass up."

Heintz said Garton is a salesman for a food service company.

PHU now is in need of a fast solution to its coaching woes. They began when John Vigue resigned in the summer after one season to take a job as the pitching coach at Division II Florida Gulf Coast University (replacing Rob Franklin, who left to become Seminole's new coach).

Garton was hired in October as the school's sixth coach in nine years, but his tenure was the shortest of all.

Heintz said assistant Chris O'Connor would like to stay with the program and will continue running conditioning drills. He told Heintz he wants to be considered for the head job.

Another candidate, former Countryside standout Trevor Hall, is a possibility. Hall was the other finalist when Garton was picked, but plays baseball in the Independent League. Hall told Heintz there wouldn't be a conflict since he wouldn't have to report until mid May, though a playoff run by the Hurricanes could create one.

Heintz is seeking applicants and hopes to make a quick decision. Those interested can call Heintz at 727-669-1131, extension 140, or fax a resume to 727-669-1358.

NEW COACHES: Gibbs hired Daryl Simmons, a former Gladiator football player. A substitute teacher, Simmons did not play baseball in high school; this is his first coaching job. He replaces Tim King, who resigned in August. Largo hired local AAU coach Paul Redman. He'll be Largo's fourth coach in four years.

[Last modified January 16, 2005, 00:34:19]