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Lecanto halts search for coach

By DAWN REISS
Published May 20, 2005

LECANTO - The Panthers and their fans will have to wait a little longer for a coach. Lecanto principal Kelly Tyler said Thursday that he was taking the job posting off the Citrus County school website and will continue the search later.

"I'm calling the search off," Tyler said. "I don't have time to deal with it. I've got graduation. My phone has been ringing off the hook. I'll re-address this issue later - maybe in August, maybe sooner." The opening was posted May 2 on the county's supplemental position list. According to the high school, Brent Hall, Nate Lambdin, Edward Hollback, George Allen Parker and Alan Bloom have applied.

Hall is a former Crystal River coach who guided the Pirates to an 83-15 record and one Class 3A final four berth from 2000-03. But his program came under scrutiny after the Times reported a number of problems, including issues with recruiting and a camp that violated Florida High School Athletic Association rules. Hall's contract wasn't renewed, and the program was put on one-year probation.

Lambdin moved from California last year to take the Crystal River job and taught English there for two months, but he moved back before having a practice. Parker is an instructor at Parker's Baseball in Dunnellon and was a player and coach in the Anaheim Angels organization. Bloom is a Nature Coast adult league official.

[Last modified May 20, 2005, 01:06:18]