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Ex-Dixie Hollins coach Shannon Brooks takes over at St. Petersburg Catholic

 
np_358404_vrag_football_08 of  (8/24/12 Clearwater) Dixie Hollins' head coach Shannon Brooks on the sidelines during the first half of the game at Clearwater Central Catholic Friday night. [WILL VRAGOVIC, Times]
np_358404_vrag_football_08 of (8/24/12 Clearwater) Dixie Hollins' head coach Shannon Brooks on the sidelines during the first half of the game at Clearwater Central Catholic Friday night. [WILL VRAGOVIC, Times]
Published Jan. 8, 2015

Former Dixie Hollins football coach Shannon Brooks was hired to take over the program at St. Petersburg Catholic.

The announcement was made Wednesday, less than two months after Brooks stepped down from the Rebels. Brooks replaces Dave Cleppe, who resigned in December after an 0-10 season.

"I was very pleased by Shannon's energy and his knowledge of what we are looking for in our student athletes," Barons athletic director Mike Moran said.

Brooks took over at Dixie Hollins in 2012 and went 3-27 in three seasons. His offenses were prolific, led by quarterback Tyrie Adams and receiver Davontae Harrington. But the defenses had trouble stopping anyone.

Part of the appeal of the SPC job was the opportunity for Brooks to coach his son, Bailey, a sophomore who started the final four games this past season.

"I wasn't really looking for another job, but the timing couldn't have worked out any better," Brooks said.

"It's not too often you get to do something you have passion for and help impact your son's life at the same time. That was something that weighed heavily on me last year coaching at another school and missing my son's games. Now I get to coach him."

Brooks started his high school coaching career at SPC. In 2001, a Florida High School Athletic Association investigation found Brooks guilty of recruiting players from Dixie Hollins and Northeast. That violated a one-year probation SPC received in 2000 for improper contact with a Gibbs player.