Gulf head football coach Tom Carter has resigned, Buccaneers athletic director Travis DeWalt said Friday afternoon.
Carter served as an assistant at Land O’Lakes for 23 years – including a stint as associate head coach. He took over the Bucs after the 2010 season hoping to bring stability to a program that had endured two coaching changes in less than a year.
Gulf struggled with a small roster in 2011 and finished 2-8. Carter and the Buccaneers doubled their numbers this spring – from 25 to 51 - but couldn’t carry that over into the fall.
Gulf finished winless in 2012. Opponents outscored the Bucs 424-29 and recorded five shutouts.
Carter did not immediately return a phone message for comment.
DeWalt said Carter only resigned from his coaching position and that he assumes he will continue teaching PE at the school.
The Bucs plan to post the position soon.
"We will work diligently in filling his position with the goal of finding a replacement well before the first day of spring ball," DeWalt said in an email.
Gulf is the third North Suncoast school with an open head coaching position. Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel are also looking for new coaches after Jeremy Shobe and Ben Alford resigned this month.