TAMPA - Robert Weiner of Plant received the Billy Turner Hillsborough County coach of the year award at Thursday's luncheon of the Tampa Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame.
Weiner, who was 3-7 in 2004, guided the Panthers to an 8-2 record this season, winning the Class 4A, District 10 crown and advancing to the region semifinal before losing to Armwood 24-6.
"Just to be considered among all the great coaches in the history of Hillsborough County is honor enough," Weiner said.
Vaughan Volpi, defensive coordinator at Robinson, received the Roland Acosta assistant coach of the year award. Volpi, in his 18th year at Robinson, praised the Knights' staff and players for his selection.
"This award is a tribute to the job that head coach Mike DePue and all of our coaches are doing at Robinson," Volpi said.
East Bay coach Brian Thornton, in receiving the West Coach Officials Association's Sportsmanship Award, was surprised and pleased. "It's great to see the values you try to teach as coaches rewarded. It's a wonderful honor to have your team chosen for this award," he said.
