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Former MLB pitcher Seth McClung steps down as Florida high school basketball coach

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby:Lawrence Fernandez•about 23 hours•

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Seth McClung - Florida high school basketball
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Seth McClung (73) pitches during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park. (© Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images)

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Seth McClung announced that he will resign as a Florida high school basketball coach. He made the difficult decision earlier this month after he and his family suffered injuries from a car accident.

“After extensive consideration, I have made the difficult decision to step down as the head basketball coach at Tarpon Springs High School. As some of you are aware, my wife and daughter was recently involved in a car accident, and the time commitments required to coach two major sports are no longer feasible given her current condition,” McClung said.

McClung was in his first year as Tarpon Springs boys basketball coach but guided the Spongers to only two victories in 13 games. Those wins came against only one team, the Angeline Academy of Innovation Archers. Meanwhile, Javor Hayes took over from McClung following his resignation.

“Going forward I have every confidence that Coach J and Coach Carlos are well-equipped to lead the program forward, and I fully endorse their capabilities,” McClung added.

While McClung won’t be a Florida high school basketball coach anymore, he will remain as Tarpon Springs’ baseball coach. He has enjoyed success in this role, transforming a team that went from 6-21 in 2023 to 17-11 last year.

“Furthermore, I will continue to focus on leading the Tarpon Springs High School baseball team and appreciate the opportunity to have coached basketball. I am disappointed in the outcome I truly saw myself leading both programs long into the future,” McClung included in his tweet dated January 15.

Having success as a baseball mentor isn’t surprising for McClung because he played in six MLB seasons. The West Virginia native spent his first three seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays (2003, 2005, 2006) and the last three with the Milwaukee Brewers (2007-2009).

Outside the United States and Canada, he also played in the Mexican League and the Chinese Professional Baseball League. Seth McClung finished his MLB career with a 26-34 record, 314 strikeouts, and a 5.46 earned run average.