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With the summer just beginning, several high schools in Sarasota and Manatee counties have already made changes in their athletic programs.
Here's a list of new athletic directors and coaches, and who they replaced as the school year approaches.
If you don't see your coaching change here, please email information to [email protected], and we will add them to this list.
In May, Riverview announced Borriello as Riverview's new athletic director. Before being appointed, Borriello served as an assistant baseball coach, operating as the baseball director of operations.
He replaces Rod Dragash, who was Riverview's athletic director for 10 years and worked in Sarasota County for over 20.
"I am extremely grateful of Principal Haughey and Assistant Principal Lorenz for this opportunity," Borriello said in a public statement. "I can't wait to lead Ram Nation into this next chapter as we build off the great foundation we have."
Riverview announced on its social media accounts the addition of two assistant athletic directors, Josh Smithers and Dave Catalfino.
The former Rams head football coach, Smithers is the team's defensive coordinator, boys weightlifting coach, and assistant flag football coach. Catalfino is the girls weightlifting and girls track & field team coach.
Venice announced that Smiley would lead the boys' basketball team in May, after four seasons as the girls' head coach. In his first year as the girls' head coach in 2023, Smiley was named Class 7A Coach of the Year, leading his team to a regional final appearance and a district title. From 2021 to 2023, he was Venice's junior varsity boys' head coach.
"My mission is to develop great players, even better people, and prepare them for success on and off the court," Smiley said in a public statement.
Smiley replaces former head coach Luke Davis, who stepped down after four seasons with the Indians, which he announced on social media on May 21. During his tenure, he led Venice to a 46-55 record, with a 14-12 finish in 2026.
Spencer Wright was named the Saint Stephen's boys lacrosse coach in May.
Wright, who was an All-American midfielder at Syracuse, won two national championships with the Orange in 2000 and 2002. After six years of playing professional lacrosse, Wright had coaching stints at Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Manhattan College, and IMG Academy before coming to Saint Stephen's.
He replaces former head coach Aaron Nations, who took over the team ahead of the 2025 season. Nations led the Falcons to a 14-15 record.
Vara was named the Saint Stephen's girls lacrosse coach in May.
After graduating from Saint Stephen's in 2021 — where she led the Falcons to four district titles — Vara played lacrosse at East Stroudsburg University, where she started every game her final two seasons.
Southeast announced Baker would lead the girls' basketball program in May. Baker — who went to Southeast — played collegiately at Marshall, where she led the team in steals, assists, free throws, and free throw attempts. She was also the second-leading scorer.
At Southeast, Baker played for legendary coach John Harder, who won three state titles at the program and was inducted into the FHSAA Hall of Fame in 2021. He retired in 2019 with 827 wins, seven final four appearances and 22 district titles.
Since his retirement, Southeast has gone 32-93 the last six seasons, with a 1-16 record in 2026. Baker will steer Southeast back to its winning ways.
Cuevas was hired in May by Southeast. He brings 10 years of experience through assistant coaching stints at Cambridge Christian, Parrish Community, and various travel leagues.
Cuevas was a catcher at Florida College and Edward Waters University from 2006 to 2010. At Southeast, he plans to focus on mental health, along with teaching discipline and leadership.
In 2026, Southeast went 2-15.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota, Manatee schools make coaching and AD changes for 2026-27 year
Continue reading...
Here's a list of new athletic directors and coaches, and who they replaced as the school year approaches.
If you don't see your coaching change here, please email information to [email protected], and we will add them to this list.
Matt Borriello, Riverview Athletic Director
In May, Riverview announced Borriello as Riverview's new athletic director. Before being appointed, Borriello served as an assistant baseball coach, operating as the baseball director of operations.
He replaces Rod Dragash, who was Riverview's athletic director for 10 years and worked in Sarasota County for over 20.
"I am extremely grateful of Principal Haughey and Assistant Principal Lorenz for this opportunity," Borriello said in a public statement. "I can't wait to lead Ram Nation into this next chapter as we build off the great foundation we have."
Dave Catalfino and Josh Smithers, Riverview Assistant Athletic Directors
Riverview announced on its social media accounts the addition of two assistant athletic directors, Josh Smithers and Dave Catalfino.
The former Rams head football coach, Smithers is the team's defensive coordinator, boys weightlifting coach, and assistant flag football coach. Catalfino is the girls weightlifting and girls track & field team coach.
Tyson Smiley, Venice boys basketball
Venice announced that Smiley would lead the boys' basketball team in May, after four seasons as the girls' head coach. In his first year as the girls' head coach in 2023, Smiley was named Class 7A Coach of the Year, leading his team to a regional final appearance and a district title. From 2021 to 2023, he was Venice's junior varsity boys' head coach.
"My mission is to develop great players, even better people, and prepare them for success on and off the court," Smiley said in a public statement.
Smiley replaces former head coach Luke Davis, who stepped down after four seasons with the Indians, which he announced on social media on May 21. During his tenure, he led Venice to a 46-55 record, with a 14-12 finish in 2026.
Spencer Wright, Saint Stephen's boys lacrosse
Spencer Wright was named the Saint Stephen's boys lacrosse coach in May.
Wright, who was an All-American midfielder at Syracuse, won two national championships with the Orange in 2000 and 2002. After six years of playing professional lacrosse, Wright had coaching stints at Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Manhattan College, and IMG Academy before coming to Saint Stephen's.
He replaces former head coach Aaron Nations, who took over the team ahead of the 2025 season. Nations led the Falcons to a 14-15 record.
Taylor Vara, Saint Stephen's girls lacrosse
Vara was named the Saint Stephen's girls lacrosse coach in May.
After graduating from Saint Stephen's in 2021 — where she led the Falcons to four district titles — Vara played lacrosse at East Stroudsburg University, where she started every game her final two seasons.
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Casey Baker, Southeast girls basketball
Southeast announced Baker would lead the girls' basketball program in May. Baker — who went to Southeast — played collegiately at Marshall, where she led the team in steals, assists, free throws, and free throw attempts. She was also the second-leading scorer.
At Southeast, Baker played for legendary coach John Harder, who won three state titles at the program and was inducted into the FHSAA Hall of Fame in 2021. He retired in 2019 with 827 wins, seven final four appearances and 22 district titles.
Since his retirement, Southeast has gone 32-93 the last six seasons, with a 1-16 record in 2026. Baker will steer Southeast back to its winning ways.
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Joesh Velez Cuevas, Southeast baseball
Cuevas was hired in May by Southeast. He brings 10 years of experience through assistant coaching stints at Cambridge Christian, Parrish Community, and various travel leagues.
Cuevas was a catcher at Florida College and Edward Waters University from 2006 to 2010. At Southeast, he plans to focus on mental health, along with teaching discipline and leadership.
In 2026, Southeast went 2-15.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota, Manatee schools make coaching and AD changes for 2026-27 year
Continue reading...
