CFCA names new football coach

Eagles tap Hardee High assistant Chris Cook as program's next head coach.

By Steven Ryzewski
| 7:00 p.m. May 18, 2016

Sports

CFCA has concluded its search for a new football coach, naming Chris Cook as the program’s newest head man May 16.

Cook, a native of Wauchula, has previously served as an assistant at Sebring High and Hardee High. Most recently, Cook was part of a staff at Hardee that guided the Wildcats to a 12-2 season, a district championship and the third round of the FHSAA Class 6A State Playoffs.

Cook will be the program's fourth head coach in as many years. Despite that, the Eagles have won eight and seven games, respectively, the past two seasons. Accordingly, for athletic director Kyle Wills, the search to replace outgoing coach John Davis was one rooted in finding a candidate who wishes to plant roots and guide the program for many years.

"It was very important to get someone that we felt strongly about who would stay around and build on the program," Wills said. "The momentum we have with the football program is pretty exciting, and to have to reset every year is the worst thing we can do with these kids. ... This is a guy that fits that bill, and on top of it all he’s an extremely high character guy and a good coach."

Cook will also serve as the Upper School Dean of Students on campus, as well as a physical education teacher. Cook will officially become a CFCA employee July 1.

One factor working in the new coach's favor is that, in spite of Davis' departure, most of the outgoing coach's staff has remained on campus and coached the program through the spring. This has helped to prevent a complete loss of continuity from the team's 7-3 season in 2015.