Déjà 2: Barta back at Coral Springs as the head coach
After leaving Coral Springs two years ago, Devin Barta is coming home.
Barta, who guided the Colts’ basketball program to unprecedented highs, is returning to his alma mater for a second stint as head coach. Barta previously accumulated a 96-41 record over five seasons with Coral Springs, including a Class 8A state championship in 2016 and four district titles.
The veteran coach stepped down following the 2018 season to take the Cardinal Gibbons coaching job, but lasted just one season with the program. He spent the past year coaching at South Broward High.
“I had a heavy heart when I [left Coral Springs],” said Barta, a 2003 alum. “I missed the sense of community. I grew up there, I grew up with those kids. I grew up in that neighborhood and [Coral Springs] is where I want to be.”
While Barta said he enjoyed coaching South Broward, the lengthy commute from Boynton Beach took a toll during the season.
“I wouldn’t have gone anywhere else,” Barta said. “Once Coral Springs opened, I said to myself I really don’t know if I can continue to drive past it every day for an additional half hour if I don’t put my name in the hat and try to go back to Coral Springs.”
During his first stint with the Colts, Barta quickly turned the dormant program into one of Broward’s best. Before his arrival,
Coral Springs had played in just four regional playoff games and had never claimed a district title. In his five seasons, he led the Colts to four district titles and 10 regional playoff wins, highlighted by the school’s first state championship in 2016. During that span, Coral Springs made three trips to the regional finals.
Barta is now tasked with rejuvenating the Colts’ program, which has struggled since his departure. Over the past two seasons, Coral Springs is 14-33 and coming off of a five-win season. Despite the record, Barta is optimistic about turning things around.
“I think there was a lot of talent there that was a little potential unfilled,” Barta said. “The JV was really good last year and they have a couple really good returners.
“I think we’re going to be pretty good sooner rather than later.”