Former Assistant Ryan Stuart Named Head Coach At Taravella

Ryan Stuart has been named the new head coach at Taravella.

Ryan Stuart knows a little something about Taravella baseball. The thirty year-old Stuart has been an assistant coach under Jason Stein for the past six years. On Friday, Stuart received the news that he will now be leading from the front.

After Stein accepted the athletic director position at the school on Thursday, one of his first orders of business was naming Stuart the new head coach of the baseball program. Familiarity will help ease the transition period.

“I want to continue building off of what Coach Stein has worked so hard to build here at Taravella,” said Stuart. As for bringing his own personality to the team, the new coach has a plan that starts in the community.

“One of the things I really hope to do is get the kids involved with the community. My idea is to put together an event to benefit the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation, and I choose that foundation because my father has now suffered from Parkinson’s for more than twenty years.”

Taravella had a record of 11-11 this past season, and advanced to the district semi-finals, before losing to eventual district champion Coral Springs, 3-0. Stuart will look to improve on that record, and he brings a resume that includes working with some top coaches.

In college, Stuart played one year at Stetson University, before playing three seasons for Joe Urso at the University of Tampa. Stuart led Tampa in average in 2004, hitting .367, and was an academic all-conference player from 2002-04. Stuart then coached alongside former Pompano coach Steve Weigel, and current coaches Ryan Combs of Horeb Christian and Daniel Baugh from McArthur.

Do not expect wholesale changes in the dugout for Taravella. Stuart has confirmed he is bringing back long-time Trojans pitching coach Rich Martel. Mike Goulette, a junior varsity coach last year with Taravella, will also be returning. Stuart is currently speaking with other coaches from the area that possibly will join the staff.

Taking over a program in the summer can sometimes be bittersweet. With the joy of becoming a first-time head coach at the high school level can also come the heightened anticipation of the first fall practice.

“I would like to thank Principal Cerra and AD Stein for the opportunity to lead the Trojans into the future,” said Stuart. “I am extremely excited and thrilled to get to work. I just wish we could start fall ball tomorrow!”

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