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Leopards assistant in Pasco mix

By IZZY GOULD
Published December 20, 2006

DADE CITY - Pasco High has narrowed its search for a football coach to four candidates and will complete a second round of interviews this week.

Rodney Byrd, Terry Voyles, Tom McHugh and James Haynes are the finalists vying to replace Dale Caparaso, a Hernando High candidate who was dismissed last month, Pasco athletic director Jim Ward confirmed Tuesday. He declined further comment. Others who were considered include former Hernando coach Bill Browning, Hudson coach Mark Nash, Land O'Lakes assistant Tom Carter, former Robinson coach Bud Hodgens and Pasco assistant Mike Penix.

Byrd, who played for the Leopards in the 1970s, has been a career assistant at Hernando, standing on the sideline more than 20 seasons. He was the JV coach this year and has coached track and girls basketball. Byrd was a candidate for the Hernando opening in 2004 and also applied after Matt Smith was fired this month.

Voyles has been in and out of Pasco's program since 1991 when he was an assistant under former coach Perry Brown. He was an assistant at Hernando 1996-98 before becoming head coach at Hudson (1998-2004) where he compiled a 14-35 record before he was fired. Voyles returned as an assistant at Pasco in 2005.

McHugh also spent time at Pasco as a JV softball coach (1995-97). He lists his football experience beginning in 1994 as an assistant at Stewart Middle. He was the head coach at Weightman Middle for three seasons (1996-98) before becoming an assistant at Wesley Chapel (1998-present).

Haynes resigned from Palmetto after two seasons. He led Palmetto to a 7-4 record and second-round playoff berth in 2004, then fell to 3-6 in 2005.

Izzy Gould can be reached at igould@sptimes.com or (727) 580-5315.

[Last modified December 20, 2006, 02:34:07]