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Coach Hits His Job Running

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By DAREK SHARP

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 13, 2008

PLANT CITY - A month after he moved to Plant City, new Raiders football coach Jason Strunk had yet to be joined by his wife and son.

It was probably for the best.

"It's been pretty busy. I've had plenty to do, that's for sure," said Strunk, who this summer took over as full-time head football coach of the Raiders.

His team began practicing this week.

While Strunk has been working overtime sifting through his roster, overhauling the football facilities and generally getting to know everyone here, he expects his team to be prepared for some activity as well.

In advance of the first game Aug. 29, Strunk is having his players go through significantly more practices than the previous regime.

"We'll be doing double sessions, we'll have Saturday practices, and we'll have one day where we have a triple session," he said.

That's right: three practices in one day.

Strunk figures it may take some extra time for each player to learn his schemes. On the other hand, Strunk said, even though he had no knowledge on any of his players before landing the job in April, now he is "right on track" for sorting out the Raiders depth chart.

"Other teams like to go to camps, those 7-on-7 camps, during the summer, but I'm not interested in that. I've been focusing on my team and my team only," he said.

Another example of Strunk's way has been demanding his players to attend every weight-training session.

The players must be taking to Strunk pretty well. He said about 40 of the juniors and seniors helped him to completely remodel the team's field house. The building has a decent amount of space but had a run-down look inside -- until the overhaul, which includes new paint and carpet.

Strunk has gotten the red-carpet treatment, so to speak, from the Plant City High administration as well as members of the community. He had special praise for Andy and Jeanne Knotts of Knotts Team Sports.

"Those were pretty much the first friends I made, and they have been great," he said. "They've basically introduced me to a lot of people."

After finishing up some schooling requirements in Pennsylvania, where he has lived his entire life, Strunk moved to Plant City on July 1.

His wife, Tracy, and 7-year-old, Mac, joined him July 30.

Reporter Darek Sharp can be reached at dsharp@tampa

trib.com.

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