SARASOTA — He learned organization and attention to detail from Joe Kinnan, intensity and connection with kids from Josh Hunter, motivational skills from Todd Crenety and defensive know-how from Jim Phelan. It has expanded.
Chris Valcarcel plans to bring all of these qualities to the sideline of the St. Stephen's football team. The 47-year-old son of former Bayshore High School head coach Mario Valcarcel was named Wednesday to replace AJ Brown, who will remain at the school as a physical education teacher and head coach of the track and field program. Last year, a program record 12 Falcon players advanced to the FHSAA state championship under Brown.
The Falcons continued to make strides under Brown, who replaced Crenety during the 2020 season. Kreneti won back-to-back Sunshine State Athletic Conference (SSAC) titles. The Browns-Falcons followed this up with a state title in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023.
Coaching changes:Prep football: Kreneti decommits at St. Stephen's
St. Stephen's University teacher Chris Valcarcel last coached high school football four years ago when he was the linebackers coach at Manatee High School. He then took four years off to help his wife, an attorney, and coach his children in girls' lacrosse, boys' basketball and flag football. “I had to take a step back and take some time with my family,” he said.
However, upon learning that Brown had resigned, Valcarcel, after consulting with his wife, decided it was time to return to the game. “This was really quick,” he said. “I didn't know I wanted to get back into this world until that started happening. The opportunity presented itself, we talked about it, and we said, 'Let's do it.'
“I'm really excited. This is probably the last chance for me to do this. This is a program that I helped start with Todd. After he spent his first year there, I I was the defensive coordinator. That was my best time coaching.”
Valcárcel said he is working on assembling staff. “I'm really confident,” he said. “I've been doing this long enough, even with breaks, that I'm pretty confident in what I bring to the table. I think the four years off has trained me. I'm a little more passionate than before. I feel like I've gone down. I think I can be a calm presence on the sideline when I need to be, but I also think I can be energetic and cheer the kids up when I need to.”
He hopes to field close to 30 players for spring football, but that number will likely be closer to the low 20s. Valcarcel plans to introduce a combine this year that will measure players' height, weight and speed.
“I think we're going to bring a good team to this table,” he said. “I think we'll have a good product. I'm very excited and I think it'll do well, especially if I surround myself with good people.”
