Bozeman Athletics faces major turnover just one year after historic success
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — In spring 2024, Deane Bozeman High School's athletic program wrapped up one of the most successful school years in Florida but is now starting fresh with more than a half-dozen coaching changes.
In 2023-2024, Bozeman finished with the highest combined win percentage in the state across football, boys basketball and baseball.
Bozeman concludes historic year of athletics
The Bucks went 62-8 in those three sports, capturing two district titles, earning three playoff berths, reaching a Final Four and finishing as the Class 1A state runner-up in baseball.
But just over a year later, the program looks nearly unrecognizable.
The shake-up began in the spring of 2024, when head football coach Jason Griffin left to take a job at Arnold High School. That summer, longtime baseball coach and athletic director Jeff Patton stepped down from his administrative role as AD.
In July 2024, Andrew Halford was hired as the new athletic director, ushering in what was expected to be a new chapter for Bozeman athletics. However, the months that followed were marked by widespread coaching turnover.
In less than a year, the school has seen more than half a dozen coaching departures, including head coaches from boys and girls soccer, volleyball, football, boys basketball, baseball and softball.
Bozeman head football coach, Sweatt resigns
Football coach Bronson Sweatt resigned on April 16, just before the start of spring practice. Boys basketball coach Matt Granville stepped down on May 7. Less than a week later, on May 12, Patton officially retired from coaching after decades on the diamond.
Bozeman baseball coaching legend, Patton retires
Most recently, head softball coach Jared Smith was fired on May 29 — a move that stunned many in the community. The Bucks were coming off their first playoff win in program history under Smith's leadership.
Bozeman fires softball coach following historic season
In response to growing public concern, Bay District Schools released a statement on behalf of Deane Bozeman School:
'Moving forward, our focus is on strengthening and unifying the athletic department. We aim to hire and support coaches who demonstrate excellence in their sport and who also embody the values of mentorship, character, and school spirit.'
BDS releases statement regarding Bozeman coach firing
As Bozeman looks to rebuild, the future of its once-dominant athletic program remains uncertain.
The school will likely introduce a new boys basketball coach in the coming days and will look to replace its softball coach this summer.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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