Gulf's Rick Hohenthaner is stepping down as softball coach after 12 seasons.
The move came a day after the No. 2 seed Buccaneers were upset by Sunlake 2-1 in the Class 5A, District 8 quarterfinals.
"I actually had been thinking about this for the past few years," Hohenthaner said. "We had some success last year and the seniors were pestering me to come back. I made up my mind in January that this would be my last season. I waited until the end of the season to announce it because I didn't want it to be a distraction."
In 2005, Hohenthaner led Gulf to its first postseason appearance as a district runnerup and a win over Crystal River in the region quarterfinals. Last season, the Buccaneers won their first district title and advanced to the region semifinals. This year, they finished 17-5.
Hohenthaner, 55, was an off-campus coach. He said he will try to help out in the offseason until the school finds his replacement.
"I worked an eight- to 10-hour day, then spent three to four hours with the team," Hohenthaner said. "To be successful, you have go year-round, and it takes a toll after a while. But we had a heck of a run."