Gators reclaim stability
The storyline is obvious.
In the nine months since Island Coast was one of the final eight teams remaining in the Class 5A state playoffs last fall, the Gators’ coaching situation has been, in a word, tumultuous.
Wayne Blair stepped down two months after the regional final loss to American Heritage so he could return to his home in the Miami suburbs. His replacement, Rashad West, lasted less than a month on the job before resigning for undisclosed reasons; and Greg Coleman, who led the team through a loss to Fort Myers in May, has returned to his full-time post as the Gators boys’ basketball coach.
When John Schwochow leads the team onto the field for its season opener on Friday night, he’ll be the third man to wave the Gators’ leadership flag since they last played, and just the fourth coach in the school’s short history.
It provides a unique challenge for a veteran coach.
“I let them know that I will be here awhile,” he said. “I plan on adding stability to the program. The kids have been great, working harder than ever before and getting better as football players, not just athletes. The ones who stayed have been awesome. They have went above and beyond expectations. Those who stay will be champions.”
Schwochow arrived at Island Coast after 10 years as an assistant at Fort Myers and three more at South Fort Myers, where he served as defensive coordinator. With the Gators, he’ll work with school principal Kristin Bueno and athletic director Kelly Heinz-Britton, who were with him on staff at Fort Myers.
A tenacious Wolfpack defense gave up just 11.5 points per game last season on the way to a 10-3 finish. Schwochow expects his new team to display a similar on-field mindset.
“Hard-nosed and physical. The players know I push, push, push, and we are competing every day,” he said. “When it’s just me and them I talk to them, joke a little. I am very intense. I think everyone has sprang to the fence at least once. It’s not a democracy. It’s about toughness and hard work and it will pay off. We will get some people. We have to be patient and we will get better.”
Among the returnees are junior quarterback Kory Curtis, who played in all 13 games as a sophomore, completed 51.6 percent of his passes and connected for 22 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
The senior contingent includes runningback Antonio Greaves, linebacker Shannon Welch, offensive lineman Alex Deny and defensive lineman Tyler Norman.
Additionally, junior Marlon Gaymon is back as a wide receiver after catching 17 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown last season, and sophomore J.D. Thomas is a starter at linebacker.
“I want football players who are tough,” Schwochow said. “Wins and losses are a big part of it, but I am changing the culture to make the kids better student-athletes.”
The Gators host South Fort Myers in tonight’s regular season opener.