Bruce Savage takes in the action in what would be his final game against Jacksonville’s Stanton Prep on Feb. 12. Savage resigned last week, having led the Dolphins to nine district titles in 11 years. Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Bruce Savage, who guided the Dolphin soccer team to three state tournament appearances in 11 years, informed the administration and parents last week that he will not return as coach next season.

“It was just time to go,” said Savage, citing a number of factors for his departure. “It was not just one thing.”

Savage said the fact that soccer, a sport he’s been involved in nearly all his life, is hard to get out of his system once the game ended. “It just consumes me – I lose sleep over it,” Savage said. “It’s hard to wake up every day and do your job, then go to soccer after.”

Savage led the Dolphins to nine district championships during his tenure. Before he arrived in Gulf Breeze, the Dolphins had been to only three regional finals. Gulf Breeze made the final eight seven times under Savage, making it to state three times.

“Bruce is a well respected individual. He is going to be terribly missed,” Principal Sylvan Ladner said. “I wish he’d stay a little longer, but I understand he wants to do other things.”

Among those things is watching his son Keith play for the Portland Timbers of the United Soccer League. The younger Savage was a part of the Dolphins’ 2003 state tournament team.

“Big shoes to fill,” said athletic director Mark Kostic of Savage.

Savage isn’t the only one leaving Dolphin soccer - assistant and junior varsity coach Bobby Parrish is stepping down as well. Parrish says he’ll still coach track and looks to teach at GBHS for three more years. Parrish’s sons Brad and Ben were part of the Dolphins’ 2008 state runner up team.

“First will be to try to fill from inside – if no one wants to step up then we’ll have to look outside – and it will be a priority,” Kostic said.