- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,256,894
- Reaction score
- 59
It's been almost three weeks since Booker High announced it had removed head football coach and athletic director Carlos Woods, and a lot had happened in the wake of that move.
The Tornadoes have seen a massive roster shakeup, have hired a new coach and have seen games slip from their schedule.
Here's it was we know about the Booker High football program and the status of Woods as of Aug. 4.
Woods was removed as Booker's athletic director and head football coach on July 16 with no reason given by the Sarasota School District and the district has yet to explain other to say Woods is under a district investigation. Woods led the Tornadoes to a 12-2 record and a state semifinal appearance in his only season as head coach.
The Sarasota Police Department confirmed Woods was under a criminal investigation "for allegations we received from an outside agency," in a email sent on July 29.
In an email on Aug. 4, the SPD said there is no update and "It is still an active and ongoing investigation."
Woods denied that he is involved in any criminal investigation in a statement posted to his Facebook page.
"I am not the subject of any active criminal investigation," Woods wrote, adding later, "I have always been willing to answer questions honestly and transparently, and I remain committed to protecting my reputation and the truth."
Booker announced on July 29 the hiring of Lance Hoeltke as head coach to replace Woods as head coach.
Hoeltke was a quarterback and team captain for the 1997 University of South Florida football team. He earned a Bachelors in marketing and an MBA from USF.
He coached at Christian Academy of Louisville, contributing to Kentucky Class 2A state championships in 2016 and 2018. He also served as offensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Kentucky Country Day School, helping secure a Class 1A state championship game appearance in 2020.
Hoeltke posted a video message on the Booker High School Instagram account with his vision for the program, saying "I believe football is one of the greatest classrooms there is for developing young men. Our mission is to create memories that last a lifetime while helping our players becomes better sons, better teammates, better leaders and ultimately better men.
"We're going to pursue exellence with character, integrity and relentless effort while building a program that our players' families, alumni and the entire Booker community can be proud of."
Angie Byrd, who was Woods' assitant and is the varsity volleyball coach, replaces Woods as athletic diretor.
Booker held its first practice under Hoeltke on Aug. 3 and many big-time faces were not there.
Since Woods' dismissal, at least 21 players have transferred from Booker to surrounding schools.
Three games have already been removed from Booker's schedule.
The Tornadoes had a road game against St. John's College High School in Washington, DC, for Sept. 19 but Cadets head coach Terrence Byrd wrote in an email to the Herald-Tribune that West Boca High School will replace Booker.
Manatee High posted on Twitter it was looking for a new preseason classic opponent as it is no longer facing Booker on Aug. 14 and Venice High posted on Twitter it was looking for a new opponent as Booker would not be playing it on Aug. 21 in a season opener.
Booker is scheduled to face Valdosta, a 24-time state champion in Georgia on Friday, Oct. 2. Valdosta's athletic office told the Herald-Tribune that its game against Booker is pending.
Booker shares District 3A-12 with Bayshore, Braden River, Cardinal Mooney and Southeast so they are required to play those teams.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Games dropped, coach hired: What we know about Booker High football
Continue reading...
The Tornadoes have seen a massive roster shakeup, have hired a new coach and have seen games slip from their schedule.
Here's it was we know about the Booker High football program and the status of Woods as of Aug. 4.
Why was Carlos Woods dismissed?
You must be registered for see images attach
Woods was removed as Booker's athletic director and head football coach on July 16 with no reason given by the Sarasota School District and the district has yet to explain other to say Woods is under a district investigation. Woods led the Tornadoes to a 12-2 record and a state semifinal appearance in his only season as head coach.
The Sarasota Police Department confirmed Woods was under a criminal investigation "for allegations we received from an outside agency," in a email sent on July 29.
In an email on Aug. 4, the SPD said there is no update and "It is still an active and ongoing investigation."
Woods denied that he is involved in any criminal investigation in a statement posted to his Facebook page.
"I am not the subject of any active criminal investigation," Woods wrote, adding later, "I have always been willing to answer questions honestly and transparently, and I remain committed to protecting my reputation and the truth."
Who is leading Booker High now
You must be registered for see images attach
Booker announced on July 29 the hiring of Lance Hoeltke as head coach to replace Woods as head coach.
Hoeltke was a quarterback and team captain for the 1997 University of South Florida football team. He earned a Bachelors in marketing and an MBA from USF.
He coached at Christian Academy of Louisville, contributing to Kentucky Class 2A state championships in 2016 and 2018. He also served as offensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Kentucky Country Day School, helping secure a Class 1A state championship game appearance in 2020.
Hoeltke posted a video message on the Booker High School Instagram account with his vision for the program, saying "I believe football is one of the greatest classrooms there is for developing young men. Our mission is to create memories that last a lifetime while helping our players becomes better sons, better teammates, better leaders and ultimately better men.
"We're going to pursue exellence with character, integrity and relentless effort while building a program that our players' families, alumni and the entire Booker community can be proud of."
Angie Byrd, who was Woods' assitant and is the varsity volleyball coach, replaces Woods as athletic diretor.
What does Booker's roster and schedule look like for 2026?
Booker held its first practice under Hoeltke on Aug. 3 and many big-time faces were not there.
Since Woods' dismissal, at least 21 players have transferred from Booker to surrounding schools.
Three games have already been removed from Booker's schedule.
The Tornadoes had a road game against St. John's College High School in Washington, DC, for Sept. 19 but Cadets head coach Terrence Byrd wrote in an email to the Herald-Tribune that West Boca High School will replace Booker.
Manatee High posted on Twitter it was looking for a new preseason classic opponent as it is no longer facing Booker on Aug. 14 and Venice High posted on Twitter it was looking for a new opponent as Booker would not be playing it on Aug. 21 in a season opener.
Booker is scheduled to face Valdosta, a 24-time state champion in Georgia on Friday, Oct. 2. Valdosta's athletic office told the Herald-Tribune that its game against Booker is pending.
Booker shares District 3A-12 with Bayshore, Braden River, Cardinal Mooney and Southeast so they are required to play those teams.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Games dropped, coach hired: What we know about Booker High football
Continue reading...
