Wharton AD takes on county duties

Lanness Robinson replaces county athletic director Vernon Korhn.

By SCOTT PURKS
Published October 11, 2006

TAMPA - Lanness Robinson, Wharton's athletic director since 2000, was named by the Hillsborough County school board Tuesday as the county's new athletic director, replacing Vernon Korhn, who steps into retirement on Friday.

Robinson, 34, says he is ready "to build on the great job that Vernon Korhn has done.

"(County athletic director) is a job I've always aspired to reach and I've worked hard to position myself to prepare for the job," said Robinson, who started in Hillsborough County in 1995 as a social studies teacher and head basketball coach at Plant City High.

"I've talked to (Korhn) quite a bit about what I need to do to and what the job entails. I'm eager to get started."

Korhn, 62, said he has, "every confidence that Lanness Robinson will do a great job. Lanness is a person who commands and demands respect and returns that respect to everyone he works with.

"He is young but he's ready and I am thrilled and excited that he's taking over the position."

Eight people applied for the job when it came open three weeks ago.

The superintendent's staff interviewed three of those candidates on Oct. 6. Current county assistant athletic director Jennifer Burchill did not apply.

Robinson, a Florida State University graduate, officially begins the job Oct. 23.

[Last modified October 11, 2006, 00:34:49]