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Veteran coach set to make his return

By SCOTT PURKS

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 9, 2001

TAMPA -- Saying he was "bored" with retirement, local coaching legend Jan Bennett said he's getting back in the game at tiny Riverhills Christian.

"I'm tired of the "three M's,' "Matlock,' "Magnum' and "Perry Mason.' I can't watch those guys anymore," said Bennett, 65. "I get up every morning, and I jog. Then there's the "three M's,' and then by noon, I'm done. I don't have anything else to do."

So when the job at Riverhills opened up, Bennett jumped out of retirement -- again. Bennett first retired in 1994 after successful stints at Tampa Bay Tech, Brandon and Robinson.

But in 1998, he returned to Fort Meade because he said he wanted to win his 500th game.

Shortly after that, he moved to Seminole Presbyterian, where in two years he went 59-10 and made his first-ever trip to the final four in 2000.

He retired after the 2000 season with a career record of 563-344 in a span of five decades, thinking he was "definitely finished."

"Well, what can I say?" Bennett said.

"I just love coaching. It's all I know, and I really missed it. I'm looking forward to getting back in there with the kids."

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