Charlotte High tabs Mentzer as new football coach

PUNTA GORDA — Cory Mentzer has come full circle with the Charlotte High football program, taking steps along the way from ballboy to now head coach.

Tarpons director of athletics Brian Nolan named Mentzer as the new football coach, replacing Wade Taylor, who stepped down last month.

“I hate being cliche but he checks all the boxes that will make him successful and make our program successful,” Nolan said. “He’s an incredibly hard worker, extremely cerebral. He understands Tarpon fundamentals. And he has support from the community and the kids in the program.”

A 2010 graduate of Charlotte High, Mentzer spent the past seven years on the football coaching staff, the last two as defensive coordinator.

“It’s a blessing and opportunity to do something great,” Mentzer said. “It’s definitely something I’m looking forward to.”

As a player, Mentzer played outside linebacker and was on two teams (2008 and ’09) that made it to the regional finals behind the running of Mike “Speedy” Bellamy. An all-state honorable mention in football, Mentzer also participated in track and field for the Tarpons on their state championship team in 2010.

“A lot of these kids don’t remember the Bellamy era, as I like to call it,” Mentzer said. “I’m trying to instill everything that we once had and that this program has been founded on into these kids. I want these young men to fulfill their potential on and off the field, whether it be through my experiences playing or the knowledge I’ve gained.”

Admittedly not the biggest nor the fastest player on the field, Mentzer is going to take one of his traits and instill it into his players.

“It was all about heart,” Mentzer said. “I know I always gave my all. In everything I did my full heart was in. If you have the determination and the mindset and the heart, you can be a tremendous high school football player.”

He attended Florida Gulf Coast University, earning degrees in Biomedical Engineering, and Masters in Business Administration and Education. In 2014-15, he was FGCU’s Student Body Vice President and was elected to the FGCU Class of 2015 Hall of Fame.

“Cory is the smartest guy in Florida, I think,” Nolan said.

“It’s funny, I truly never imagined being here,” Mentzer said. “I went to school for a Biomedical Engineering Degree. If I knew I was going to be a football coach, I would have taken it a lot easier and not being in the library every night studying. But it’s truly a blessing and it just goes to show that God can ultimately put you in places that you never imagined. Hopefully, He’ll do great things through me and through this program. That’s what I’m just excited for more.”

The 30-year-old Mentzer is a science teacher at Charlotte.

“I believe my age is a plus,” he said. “Not only was I in the shoes of these athletes 12, 13, 14 years ago, I feel like I can really relate with them. I can speak to them on a more personal level. Being young has many advantages.”

Two areas of importance are the weight room, where Mentzer plans to participate and lift with his players, and their grades.

Mentzer was in Daytona attending the induction of former Charlotte High football coach Binky Waldrop into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Class of 2022 Hall of Fame.

“Ever since Bink stepped down, I knew it was a possibility,” Mentzer said. “I’ve continued to give my all to the program day in and day out. When Wade stepped down, my wife and I were praying about it and seeing where God was going to lead us.”

Taylor stepped down after two seasons. He took over for Waldrop. The Tarpons went 12-8 under Taylor with two playoff appearances. This past season, Charlotte finished 5-5 and ended its season with a 37-0 loss at Naples High in the regional quarterfinals.

Mentzer’s first order of business is formulating a coaching staff. After that, it will be instilling the new culture, planning, and getting ready for spring.

“I told the kids next season starts now,” said Mentzer, who met with his returning players Thursday.

Dennis Maffezzoli is the deputy sports editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and chief reporter for Sarasota Herald-Tribune and HTpreps covering Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Charlotte High tabs Mentzer as new football coach