Palmetto selects Marino

After all the years of waiting, Dave Marino is finally getting his chance.

Much to his delight, that chance is coming at Palmetto.

A longtime area assistant, Marino was named the Tigers’ new head football coach Thursday, replacing Raymond Woodie, who stepped down in December to become the defensive line coach at Western Kentucky University.

“This is a dream come true,” said Marino, 43. “I’d rather be here than any place else. The program is in great shape, and it’s one of the last community high schools. In Palmetto, it’s Palmetto High School, and that’s it.”

Marino is no stranger to the Tigers, having spent the last two years as the team’s offensive line coach. He’s no stranger to the local football scene, either, having also worked as an assistant at Southeast, Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota.

He was the Seminoles’, helping Southeast to consecutive state titles in 1993 and ‘94 and a runner-up finish in ‘98. He followed another Southeast assistant, Faust DeLazzer, to Lakewood Ranch, where Marino served as the offensive coordinator as well as the assistant head coach.

He coached the offensive line, as well as the wide receivers, at Sarasota.

Now, he has a program to call his own, beating out over 70 applicants and two other finalists, said Palmetto principal Willie Clark.

“He’s passionate about these young players developing into young men,” Clark said. “He’s not just concerned about results on the field, but off the field, too.

“He had so many good references — from players as well as coaches.”

Marino takes over a team that rebounded from an 0-3 start to finish 5-5, and nearly made the playoffs for a third consecutive season. Underclassmen such as sophomore linebacker Darius White and junior running back Marquis Green had breakthrough years, and Marino was pleased with the resiliency the team showed despite a number of personal setbacks.

“Last year was a major transitional year for us,” Marino said. “Every week was a new adventure for the kids, and that really provided a lot of growth that is going to bode well for us in the 2010 season.”

It’s a season — and opportunity — Marino has been waiting for.

“I believe God has a plan for each of us,” he said. “All the times I tried to become a head coach and it didn’t happen, you’re wondering if it’s ever going to come.

“I’m just happy it’s come to fruition.”