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Hernando Today

Say It Isn't So, Joe?

WRESTLING

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

HHS Head Coach Joe McLain and assistant coach Bill Combs Sr. have guided the Leopards to a second or third-place finish in nine of 15 tournaments over the past two seasons including a Top 10 finish (ninth) in the Class 1A State Finals at the Lakeland Center.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: February 5, 2009

Though the 2008-09 season is not over, the search has already begun for Hernando High's eighth head wrestling coach.
The school's seventh coach since 1978, Leopard alumnus Joe McLain, recently gave word to first-year HHS Principal Ken Pritz, that he would not return in that capacity next winter.
McLain, 40, who has taught physical education at nearby Brooksville Elementary for four years, took over the Leopard program in 2007 when Matt Smith resigned.
McLain, a certified physical therapist, will still be around the Bell Ave. campus and wrestling room next winter, but only as a concerned parent.
His son, Max, graduates from Challenger K-8 and is expected to matriculate to HHS in the fall.
"We really haven't announced it to the team," explained McLain, who finished 17-17 in dual meets across two seasons and guided the Leopards to 15-of-15 Top 10 finishes to date. "I told Ken (Pritz) I would not be back to give the school plenty of time to get a successor.
"I think I'm leaving the program in good shape," said the Brooksville resident, who along with veteran assistant coach Bill Combs Sr. led the Leopards to a fine ninth-place finish in the Class 1A State Championship last winter. "We've got close to 60 kids in our (youth) wrestling club and it could swell to as high as 100 kids."
What went into the decision-making process?
"I certainly did not want to make a move later," he said. "That leaves everyone holding the bag. Timing is everything. This gives the school plenty of time to get the perfect candidate in place."
Any regrets?
"The season is not over yet," indicated the soft-spoken McLain. "But no, I have had nothing but support from the administration. I'll still be around to help lug Max to tournaments as far as Fargo and back, but I won't have to lock up at night. I told (Athletic Director and Head Football) Coach (John) Palmer I'd continue help out with the football team, too, if he wanted.
"This was strictly my decision and mine alone," he added. "I've also been trying to get the best qualified candidates to apply."
McLain said with his extra time he'll devote more of his efforts to his other passion — neuromuscular therapy — which serves as an extra source of income for his family.
What was hardest thing about being a head coach?
"It was becoming taxing," said McLain, "with all the long hours I put in. I won't be as committed as I was when I was the head coach. Trust me; I'm not abandoning anything or the kids. This was a hard decision. It's one I went over and over with in my mind. The big winner is Max. Family comes first. Now, I can be more of a dad to my son."

By the Numbers: Hernando Head Coach Joe McLain
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO

YEAR  W L .PCT
2006-07 6 6 .500
2007-08 11 11 .500
TOTALS 17 17 .500

Tournament Recaps
2007-08:
11-17 Berkeley Prep Tourney Away 2nd /17 teams
12-02 Sebastian River Tourney Away 2nd/12 teams
12-08 26th Kiwanis Invitational Home 3rd/26 teams
12-22 Land O'Lakes Invitational Away 10th/21 teams
01-05 Clay Rotary Inv.  Away 6th/18 teams
01-12 Springstead Invitational Away 3rd/21 teams
02-02 1A-5 Tourney @ CRHS Away 2nd/10 teams
02-09 1A-II Tourney @ Avon Park Away 2nd/34 teams
02-14 1A State Finals @ Lakeland Away 9th/76 teams

2008-09:
11-22  Tampa-Berkeley Prep Inv.  Away  3rd/14 teams
12-06  Sebastian River Inv.   Away  4th/16 teams
12-13  Kiwanis Inv. @ Hernando  Home  7th (tie)/27 teams
01-03  Wesley Chapel Duals  Away 4th/9 teams
01-10  Springstead Inv.   Away  3rd/21 teams
01-17  Sunlake Tourney   Away  2nd/6 teams
02-07  1A-5 Tourney @ Citrus  Away  10 a.m.
02-13  1A-II Tourney @ Matanzas  Away  2 p.m.
02-14  1A-II Tourney @ Matanzas  Away  10 a.m.
02-19  1A State Finals @ Lakeland  Away  12 p.m.
02-20  1A State Finals @ Lakeland  Away  10 a.m.
02-21  1A State Finals @ Lakeland  Away  10 a.m.

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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