Young new softball coach
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Bobby Young will be Gulf Breeze High's fourth softball coach in as many years. Young, who taught and coached football and softball for five years at Opelika High School in Opelika, Ala., was one of several new teachers and coaches approved by the Santa Rosa County School Board at their June 28 meeting.

"These are quality people - good teachers, good coaches," GBHS athletic director Mark Kostic said. "I feel like they can do the job."

Young takes over for Rob Simon, who took a teaching and coaching position recently at Navarre High School.

Young will teacher social studies at GBHS, while Brad Filberts, Nemith's other new assistant, will be a physical education teacher.

Filberts, a three sport athlete at Milton High School, will also coach basketball at GBHS. He's a 2007 graduate of the University of West Florida.

Christie Caldwell, who taught last year at Vines High School in Plano, Tx., will be a girls soccer coach. Sharon Kerby was recently hired as the successor to Eric Miles, who took a teaching and coaching position at The Community School in Naples.

Caldwell, who'll be in her second year of teaching, played soccer in high school.

Jason Lavaway, who was a volunteer coach for the baseball program two years ago, will be on staff this season. A 2007 UWF graduate, Lavaway will teach English at GBHS.

Grace French, who also taught in Texas last year, will be a softball coach this year at GBHS. She'll teach science in the fall.