Mitchell assistant Wachtel replaces Schmitz

The hiring freeze recently implemented by the Pasco County School District has thawed enough for Mitchell to hire a football coach.

Mustangs assistant Brian Wachtel, a 1997 River Ridge graduate and former Royal Knights and Ridgewood assistant, was hired Thursday to replace veteran Scott Schmitz, principal Ric Mellin confirmed.

Schmitz, who started Mitchell's program in 2000, announced his retirement after the Mustangs' season finale at Sunlake. Schmitz coached Wachtel, 30, during his senior season at River Ridge after Wachtel moved from Pennsylvania.

"I'm very happy they chose to go in this direction," Schmitz said.

"I think Brian's going to do a good job. I think when you think about what's best for our kids, he's that person. We return a number of players and I just think it will be a smooth transition. It will pretty much keep the staff hopefully intact."

A competitive bodybuilder until recently, Wachtel is employed at Mitchell as a behavior specialist and will earn an annual coaching supplement of $4,476.

A two-time all-conference linebacker at Division II Nebraska-Kearney, Wachtel joined Chris Taylor's inaugural staff at Ridgewood in 2005 as defensive coordinator, spending three seasons with the Rams. Before that, he spent about two seasons at his alma mater.

He said he'll be his own offensive coordinator next season, implementing some option looks and spread formations.

"You should look forward to seeing a large part of the Mitchell coaching staff returning," said Wachtel, who celebrates the five-year anniversary of his marriage to PHCC women's cross country coach Jacki Wachtel on Saturday. "They were outstanding; they supported me in applying for the position, which was really great. And they're a really great group of guys."

Mellin said Wachtel was selected over 18 other applicants after superintendent Heather Fiorentino lifted the hiring freeze specifically for that position. Mellin called Wachtel a "good role model," adding he was attracted to Wachtel's sense of community and desire to see his players excel in the classroom and field.

"He'll expect his kids to play hard and play with passion, which is what he did," Schmitz said. "I don't think there's going to be a lot of change. "