TAMPA – Just two days before its kickoff classic, Carrollwood Day has fired coach Lane McLaughlin after a successful nine-year period with the school, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
McLaughlin, however, said he saw the move potentially coming.
“I could kind of see it coming. I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved with our program for the past 10 years, especially (former athletic director) Frank Mabry for hiring me. I enjoyed my time there and I’m sure they will see me on the field somewhere else,” McLaughlin told the Times.
McLaughlin had an overall record of 61-31.
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The move was unavoidable, according to athletic director Baker Mabry, who told the Times, “it was a decision that we had to make.” He did not specify why.
The Patriots will rely on one of their assistants to lead the team through the season as interim head coach.
One of those assistants is former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, who’s son Jayson is a sophomore on the team. The report did not indicate whether Gruden would consider a more prominent role with the staff.
Carrollwood Day first reached the playoffs in 2013 under McLaughlin and reached the playoffs last season as district runner-up in District 2A-5 to district champion and eventual Class 2A state runner-up Cambridge Christian.
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