30-05-2025
Bozeman fires softball coach following historic season
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — In a surprising move, Deane Bozeman High School is parting ways with head softball coach Jared Smith, just weeks after their first playoff win in program history.
Smith confirmed Thursday night that he was informed by Bozeman Principal Ivan Beach that the the school is, 'Going in another direction with the program.'
Bozeman (14-11) advanced to the regional semifinals, after going on the road and defeating softball powerhouse Florida High in Tallahassee.
The Bucks eventually fell to state runner-up North Bay Haven, the same team that beat them in the district finals.
Jared and his wife, Amber, have led the program for several years, guiding the team to three postseason appearances and helping nearly a dozen players reach the collegiate level.
He served as an assistant at Bozeman from 2009-2012, took over as head coach in 2013-2014 and returned again from 2017-2025.
All of Bozeman's softball regional appearances have been under the leadership of Jared Smith as head coach.
The Bucks finished the season with four players named to the All-County First Team and three to the Second Team, one an Honorable Mention. All but one of those players are expected to return next spring.
The school has not made an announcement on the decision to make a coaching change.
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