Winter Springs softball coach Huaman steps down due to health issues
Mark Huaman used to squat 500 pounds just to get loosened up.
Now he undergoes dialysis seven days a week because of stage 5 renal failure. He struggles to get up and on his feet after spending the past 11 weeks in quarantine at his parent’s home.
Huaman, 57, stepped down as Winter Springs softball coach this spring after compiling a 402-161 record in 21 seasons due to his ongoing health issues.
The school announced Wednesday that former UCF softball player Farrah Gordon will take over and that the rest of the coaching staff will return, including longtime assistant Eric Birle. Gordon joined the program last summer.
Winter Springs also announced Scottie Pierce as the new boys lacrosse head coach. Pierce replaces Scott Sharpe after three seasons.
“The program is in good hands — that was never a worry of mine,” Huaman said. “Farrah is sharp. She’s young and energetic, and most of all she’s got a good head on her shoulders.”
Huaman, a diabetic since 1998, lost hearing in his left ear early in the 2018-19 school year. An MRI revealed he had suffered a mini-stroke at some point, but he continued to coach despite the diagnosis.
He has since had four fingers amputated and is scheduled next week for his final interview in hopes of being placed on the kidney transplant list.
“I really need to focus on that and my kids,” said Huaman of moving away from coaching. “It’s hard though because my mind still works fine, and I still think I have stuff to contribute to the game.”
Huaman, the father of three children between the ages of 11 and 17, said he plans to continue teaching English at Winter Springs. He’s also working to recover in time to attend the weightlifting, dance and basketball events of his children, who have grown up around the Winter Springs softball field.
“Being around my kids and my ballplayers and students keeps me young,” said Huaman. “It keeps me vibrant and wanting to keep doing things.”
Huaman earned statewide coach of the year honors last spring after guiding the Bears to a 31-0 record and state championship win. He then won his 400th career game at Groveland South Lake on March 3 before the remainder of the 2020 season was postponed and eventually canceled due to the cornovirus pandemic.
Huaman leaves the Winter Springs softball program having reached the state championship game twice and winning six Seminole Athletic Conference titles, 10 district titles and three region titles.
He also moves away from a softball rivalry with county foes such as Lake Howell and Hagerty that has produced memorable moments through the years.
“I cherished our games against each other because ultimately we made each other’s programs better,” said Lake Howell coach Tom Kreahling. “There were some intense and meaningful games, which increased the fun of the rivalry.”
Hagerty’s softball Twitter account offered “good luck and good health” to Huaman while also noting “It’s not just the 402 wins that’s amazing; it’s the number of athletes, fellow coaches and softball families that he’s positively affected.”
Huaman said he’s humbled by the “outpouring of love and support from people.”
“Nothing is permanent. Life is like that,” Huaman said. “But it’s hard to walk away when you’ve spent 21 years building something and you got it to where you want it to be. But you’ve got to find something else and keep going.”