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Lancer coach decides to retireBy SCOTT PURKS © St. Petersburg Times, published June 23, 2000 TAMPA -- Jan Bennett was coaching a basketball game last week -- something he has done for more than 40 years -- when a life-altering decision took hold. "I wasn't having any fun out there," Bennett said. "And I said to myself, "What are you doing out here?' That's when I knew it was time." A few days later, Bennett walked into the office of Seminole Presbyterian athletic director Frank Mabry and said he was retiring; retiring after coaching in five decades that included 563 victories at the college and high school levels. "I really didn't want him to do it," Mabry said. "I didn't want him to step down because he has meant so much to our whole athletic program. He was inspiring to everyone he came in touch with. "I just hope he comes around and hangs out with me in the office. I really enjoyed him." Bennett, 64, came to Seminole Presbyterian two years ago and guided it to 26-5 and 33-5 records. Last season, the Lancers reached the Class A semifinal and Bennett was named Class A coach of the year. "This past season," Bennett said, "was a great way to end it." In 1994, Bennett made his first retirement announcement. But he resurfaced as the coach at Fort Meade three years later. This time, however, he assured his retirement, "is for good." "I had a friend who asked me the other day, "If you had to do it all over again, would you be a basketball coach?" Bennett said. "And I answered, "Yes, no doubt about it.' "Being a basketball coach is all I ever wanted to be. And I've loved it. It truly has been a great life." Besides Seminole Presbyterian, Bennett also coached at Tampa Bay Tech, Brandon and Robinson, was an assistant at Mississippi and South Florida and coached at West Georgia. Mabry said he wants to name a new coach as soon as possible. "When (Bennett) started here, he said he wanted to take the program to the next level," Mabry said. "Well, he has done that, and we love him for it."
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