Two successful Oxbridge Academy head coaches let go
Oxbridge Academy has reportedly let go of two successful head coaches.
The ThunderWolves will not renew the contracts for girls basketball coach Tracy Wolfe and girls soccer coach Staci Wilson. Wilson led the girls soccer team to the program’s fifirst state title, while Wolfe took the girls basketball team to the state Final Four. The school will also let go of strength and conditioning coach David Padilla.
T h e S u n S e n t i n e l f i r s t reported Wednesday night that the coaches’ contracts would not be renewed.
Wilson, Wolfe and Athletic Director Patrick Hollern could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
On Thursday, the school said it would not comment on the status of individual employees.
However, director of communications Lisa Murphy did say by email that the school reviews its course catalog each year to ensure that it offffers classes that meet high academic standards. Changes in the school’s course offffer- i n g s a l s o p r o mp t s o me changes to faculty, including those who coach.
“The coaching positions left vacant by changes in teaching positions will be fifilled,” she said.
The girls soccer team was 23-2-6 in two years under Wilson, and she was named the Class 2A coach of the year in February. Wolfe also coached her team for two years, going 38-17.
Padilla worked with the ThunderWolves’ football team, including standout defensive backs C. J. Smith and Keidron Smith.
Keidron Smith, the No. 5-ranked player on the Post’s Class of 2018 Big Board, said T hu r s d ay h e was d i s a p - pointed that Padilla was let go. “I think these decisions that are being made are a disgrace to the student athletes, the athletics program, and the school,” he said in a Twitter message. “Padilla was the third strength and conditioning coach Oxbridge has had in three years. He not only worked close to me, but he was close to every player on the football team.”
H e w a s a n a m a z i n g strength coach,” said C. J. Smith.
T h e S u n S e n t i n e l t i e d the moves to the school’s c ont i nued de - e mphasizing of athletics. The school revamped its leadership last year after reporting by The Palm Beach Post prompted Palm Beach billionaire Bill Koch, the school’s founder, to order an internal investigation. Among those let go last year were head football coach Doug Socha and Athletic Director Craig Sponsky. Socha is now the head coach of the new Keiser University football team, while Sponsky is suing the school for defamation.
A l l - S t a t e b a s ke t b a l l teams: The Florida Association of Basketball Coaches/ Source boys All-State baske t b a l l t e a ms a r e b e i n g announced this week.
A p a i r o f P a l m B e a c h C o u n t y b o y s b a s ke t b a l l standouts earned All-State fifirst team honors in Class 5A and 6A, while two more were named to the third team.
St. Andrew’s combo guard Anthony Polite, a two- time All-Area Small Schools Player of the Year, and Cardinal Newman guard K.J. Fitzgerald were named to the Class 5A fifirst team. Polite, an FSU signee, and Fitzgerald, who has yet to announce his college decision, are seniors.
Oxbridge Academy guard Keidron Smith, a junior, was named to the Class 5A third team. Suncoast junior forward Miclenby Geffffrard was named to the Class 6A third team.
Five county players were honored in Classes 1A-4A.
Grandview Prep guard Matthew Schner was voted to the Class 2A fifirst team; Village Academy guard David Smith was voted Class 3A fifirst team; FAU guard Dylan Bradley was chosen Class 4A third team; Yeshiva guard Ethan Lasko was picked Class third team; and Benjamin forward Ben Lubarsky was chosen Class 4A third team.
P l aye r s were s e l e c t e d based on in-person evaluations, a review of all-area teams selec ted by media from around the state and recognition from the FABC.