Georgia nabs another coach

Shark Dan Garofano follows Travis Priddy to Savannah Country Day.

By KELLIE DIXON
Published June 6, 2007

Dan Garofano wasn't looking for a new coaching gig when Savannah Country Day in Georgia called him up.

The stocky coach, always ready with a wisecrack, figured he had it pretty good in Brooksville. At Nature Coast, he had led the four-year-old Sharks program from an abysmal two-win season in its first year to a 20-6 record this past season. Plus, Hernando County has been his home since 1975 when Garofano and his family moved here from New York.

"I was pretty much raised in Spring Hill, " said Garofano, a 1989 Springstead graduate. "I never envisioned leaving, but with the offer Savannah Country Day threw out. ...They made an offer I couldn't refuse."

The school got Garofano's name from Travis Priddy, the boys basketball coach the school hired from the Sharks in May. Priddy heard the school was looking for a baseball coach, so he gave them Garofano's name. A short time later, Savannah Country Day was offering Garofano the head baseball and assistant football coaching jobs. The compensation package was sizeable and included a pay raise ($16, 000 more) and free schooling for his wife to get her education degree.

The money was enticing, but still it was a hard decision for Garofano, especially after he watched his first four-year seniors graduate. Nature Coast played for the district championship this year and hung with state-ranked Orlando Bishop Moore a majority of the region quarterfinal.

Nature Coast athletic director Jason Montgomery was disappointed to hear Garofano planned to leave, but wasn't shocked.

"From our standpoint, we hate to see him go because he does an incredible job with our programs, " Montgomery said. "But it's a good career opportunity for him."

Garofano, a baseball and football standout at MacMurray College (Ill.), helped launch the Sharks' baseball program and was an integral part of the football team. With head football coach Jamie Joyner, Garofano was one of two remaining original coaches. Garofano started out as the defensive coordinator but spent last season as the quarterbacks coach and junior varsity coach. Sitting in his office Monday, Joyner gestured toward Garofano's vacant desk and said he would miss his roommate.

He'll also miss the voice on the field. Garofano sat up in the coaches' box and communicated with Joyner during football games. During spring practices, Garofano primarily ran the offense.

"He's a great coach, " Joyner said. "He knows the game and he communicates real effectively with the kids. They really respect him."

The football team succeeded much like the baseball team last season. The Sharks claimed the district championship and reached the playoffs.

Kellie Dixon can be reached at kdixon@sptimes.com or (352) 544-9480.

Fast Facts:

Hernando County Coaching Changes

SPORT INCOMING OUTGOING

Hernando

Football Rodney Byrd Matt Smith

Boys basketball Tony Vasquez Jeff Laing

Girls basketball TBA Walt Cermak

Boys soccer TBA Tony Miziko

Girls soccer Rick Ahrens John Bifulco

Central

Girls tennis TBA Joe Nicolai

Nature Coast

Boys basketball David Pisarcik Travis Priddy

Boys cross country Armen Merjanian Trevor Barlow

Girls cross country Tyson Graham Kristen Peeples

Springstead

Boys basketball Pat Kelly Craig Swartout

[Last modified June 5, 2007, 23:34:36]