Citing the need to devote his time and energies to his new job as Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, Bob Henriquez has resigned as coach at Tampa Catholic.
Henriquez, a married father of two who was elected to his new job in November, informed his players Monday afternoon.
"I really weighed everything," Henriquez said. "When it comes down to it, I have a constitutional responsibility and a responsibility to my family first. Honestly, I take this position and the trust of the voters very, very seriously. So that, at the end of the day, was the most important consideration."
A 1982 TC graduate, Henriquez served two separate stints at his alma mater, totaling 17 seasons. He leaves with a 130-71 record that included 13 playoff appearances, seven district titles and two state championship game berths. His final team finished 8-4, reaching the second round of the Class 3A playoffs.
He said the program, which returns 16 starters, is perhaps as strong as it was during the Kenny Kelly-Darrell Jackson era of the mid-1990s. His primary regret: the timing of his announcement. The holiday season is generally the most active in terms of student-athlete transfers.
"These kids...I love 'em to death and they are so much a part of who I am," Henriquez said. "So it's always hard to look them in the eye and tell them I'm not going to be with them."
Henriquez said it would be presumptuous to believe he'll have a hand in finding his replacement, but said he hopes it's someone from the current staff, rife with head coaching experience.
"While we are sad to lose him as a coach at Tampa Catholic, we are proud that Bob is now serving the citizens of Hillsborough County as our property appraiser," principal Thomas Reidy said in the release. "He is an outstanding example of how Tampa Catholic alumni are involved in their communities throughout the world, living our ideals and traditions of Faith, Excellence & Family."