Carrollwood Day fires coach just two days before kickoff classic

TAMPA – Just two days before the kickoff classic is to take place for Carrollwood Day against Halifax Academy, the Patriots will not be coached by the man who has helped guide them through a successful nine-year period this season.

On Wednesday morning, the school made the move to fire head coach Lane McLaughlin, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

McLaughlin, however, 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.

But the move was unavoidable according to the school’s Athletic Director, Baker Mabry told the Times.

Now, the Patriots will rely on one of their assistants to lead the team through the season as interim head coach.

One of those assistants that could be called up to handle the duties for this season is former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach Jon Gruden, who’s son Jayson is a sophomore on the football team. However, the Times’ report didn’t indicate that if Gruden would actually be called up to handle the duties of head coach.

Carrollwood Day which first reached the playoffs in 2013 under McLaughlin also saw his team reach the playoffs this past season as district runner-up in District 2A-5 to district champion and eventual Class 2A state runner-up, Cambridge Christian.