Saint Stephen’s football vacancy proving popular

You won’t find Saint Stephen’s advertising its newest head-coaching vacancy on the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Web site.

And you probably never will.

Since Matt Kitchie stepped down as the Falcons’ head football coach last week, the school has received interest from a dozen candidates, said Dave Samler, the school’s athletic director.

“It’s really nice,” Samler said of the interest.

Kitchie had been Saint Stephen’s football coach since 2006, when Saint Stephen’s re-introduced the sport after featuring it during the 1970s. He went 11-14 in three seasons before taking the job at Land O’Lakes in Pasco County.

Word of the opening seems to have spread. Not only have Saint Stephen’s assistants expressed interest in the position, but other coaches from outside of the Falcons’ program have, as well.

That’s fine with Samler, who plans on discussing the position further with Jan Pullen, Saint Stephen’s head of school who is currently in China.

“We’ve had many viable people,” Samler said, adding the school is still compiling résumés, “which is great.”

Saint Stephen’s hasn’t hammered down a timetable yet, though Samler wants to find a coach sooner than later — the first official day of practice is slated for Monday, August 10, and the Falcons host St. Petersburg Admiral Farragut in a Kickoff Classic on Aug. 28.

After spending three years as an independent, the Falcons will compete in Class 1B-District 6 in the fall, matching up against geographical rivals Out-of-Door Academy and Bradenton Christian with postseason berths and a district title on the line.

“We want to hire a coach soon,” Samler said. “We don’t want to wait too long.”

Upon Pullen’s return, Samler said the two will sit down and discuss the candidates further, and will also try and narrow down who to bring in for interviews.

“As with any coach, you want a first-class individual,” Samler said. “Someone who is well-balanced with a good knowledge for the game . . . and someone who understands our philosophy as Saint Stephen’s and our commitments to athletics, education and the arts. All those things are very important at any level.”

Saint Stephen’s has already accrued a good number of candidates with those credentials. The hardest part will be choosing one out of the bunch.

“It’s a tough decision,” Samler said. “But it’s a good problem to have. It really is.”