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Former PHU coach Reggie Crume takes on next rebuilding project at Alonso

 
Reggie Crume spent three years at Palm Harbor University, guiding the team to winning records this year and last. (Douglas R. Clifford, Times)
Reggie Crume spent three years at Palm Harbor University, guiding the team to winning records this year and last. (Douglas R. Clifford, Times)
Published Dec. 14, 2016

TAMPA — Reggie Crume, who helped orchestrate a major turnaround during a three-season stint at Palm Harbor University, said he's eager to implement another rebuilding project. On Wednesday, he was introduced as the new football coach at Alonso .

The Ravens were 1-8 last season under Brian Emanuel, who was 24-35 in six years. Alonso plays in Class 8A and has one of Hillsborough County's largest enrollments (nearly 2,700 students). But the program has had just four winning records (and one district championship) in 16 seasons of football.

"One of the things we fought a little bit at Palm Harbor was the (lack of) numbers,'' said Crume, who described "both parties wanting to go in different directions" as his reason for leaving PHU. "Alonso has numbers and the school seems to be growing. That's exciting.

"We want all the little Westchase Colts (youth football team) looking forward to becoming Ravens once they get to high school. We definitely want to secure our boundaries and make sure that every kid who lives in the Alonso school district goes to Alonso."

Crume, 36, guided the Hurricanes to finishes of 6-4 and 7-3 after a 1-9 debut. He's originally from St. Louis and was an offensive coordinator in Missouri high schools before his move to Florida in 2014.

Alonso principal Kenneth Hart said Crume was the perfect choice to "re-invigorate" the school's football program.

"I believe he's going to excite our kids and unite our community," Hart said. "In my opinion, we've got a whole other football team out there walking around our campus that we haven't tapped into yet. Reggie has a very specific plan to address that. He's going to walk the hallways, beat the bushes, and entice kids to come out and be football players."

Crume said he has sought coaching mentors since moving to Florida. He admires the example of Plant coach Robert Weiner, who had about 25 varsity players when he took over the Panthers in 2004. Two seasons later, with participation way up, Plant won the first of its four state championships.

"We're going to build from the ground up," Crume said. "And we're going to work hard on every part of the process."