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Mike Gregory returns as Tampa Catholic football coach

 
Mike Gregory
Mike Gregory
Published March 23, 2015

Almost a month ago, Tampa Catholic football coach Mike Gregory announced his resignation, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. But almost immediately, Gregory said, he began having second thoughts.

He said he never really wanted to leave, and still seeing his players every day at school made that decision even harder.

So when principal Tom Reidy approached Gregory, 28, with a plan that was not only a financial benefit but would shorten his work hours, Gregory changed his mind and decided to stay, a move the school announced Monday in a news release.

"We never wanted Mike to leave. He and I had continued to stay in communication over the last three weeks, so I took one last stab at retaining him," Reidy said in the release. "We are very happy to have him stay as our coach."

Gregory said part of the deal will likely include a lighter teaching load, teaching fewer than the six classes he has now. Practice times might also be adjusted so he can spend more time with his family.

Gregory maintained that his resignation had nothing to do with the recruiting allegations that spawned a 13-month Florida High School Athletic Association investigation into the Tampa Catholic football and baseball programs.

The FHSAA recently determined there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations, but did find that Tampa Catholic's efforts to educate its coaches about recruiting policies was lacking, according to documents obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.

Because of their efforts to improve such education, the FHSAA only handed down probation and a fine that will be returned if no infractions occur.

Gregory admits that there might have been a lapse when it came to education, but that, he said, is a more widespread issue.

"Quite frankly, I think there's a lack of education on FHSAA policy everywhere," Gregory said. "Most assistants never read the bylaws of the FHSAA. I think that's something that needs to be addressed everywhere, not just at Tampa Catholic."