Randy Hallock announced Monday that this will be his final season as head coach of the Astronaut High football program.
Coach Randy Hallock at the first day of practice for the new prep football season at Astronaut High.
His teams have won 131 games and been to the playoffs 13 times in his 19 seasons.
“It’s just time,” he said Monday. “I grew up here. I’m a War Eagle, through and through. Ultimately, if we’re not getting it done on Friday night, it’s my responsibility.”
Hallock, a graduate of Astronaut and UCF, does not plan to retire from teaching, and he remained open to the possibility of coaching again, even at Astronaut, depending on the wishes of the next head coach.
“If I feel comfortable, I’ll continue to coach football,” he said.
Scores, highlights: Brevard high school football Week 8
Hallock guided Astronaut to within a game of the Class 3A state final in 1999, and his 2000 team was the state runner-up. From ’99 through 2007, every War Eagles team qualified for the postseason.
In a letter to the Astronaut fans announcing his retirement, Hallock shouldered the responsibility for the “hard times” the program has experienced, but the team enjoyed a return to the playoffs in 2015 after a three-year absence. This year’s team has started 1-6.
“I love this place too much, he said. “I want these kids to be successful.”
The program’s slump has coincided with the school’s decline in enrollment as population has shifted south in Brevard County, and some players have transferred to other teams.
Astronaut will play its final two games of 2016 at home, Friday against Cocoa and on Nov. 4 against Space Coast.
“Great guy. Hard to last 20 years. Longevity in this business is something rare and should be admired,” Palm Bay coach Dan Burke said. “His teams were always well prepared in all three phases of the game and great competitors. An Astronaut graduate. Nice to say he was a War Eagle to the end.”
Contact McCallum at 321-242-3698 or bmccallum@floridatoday.com. Follow facebook.com/FLtoday.brianmccallum and @Brian_McCallum on Twitter.
Randy Hallock through the years
1998: 5-5
1999: 10-2, district champion, 3A semifinalist
2000: 12-3, district champion, 3A state runner-up
2001: 8-3, district runner-up
2002: 7-4, district runner-up
2003: 8-4, district champion
2004: 7-4, district runner-up
2005: 7-4, district runner-up
2006: 8-3, district champion
2007: 9-3, district champion
2008: 6-4
2009: 9-3, district runner-up
2010: 7-4, district runner-up
2011: 8-3, district runner-up
2012: 6-4
2013: 5-5
2014: 2-8
2015: 6-5, district runner-up
2016: 1-6
High school sports | floridatoday.com/sports/high-school-sports/
Randy Hallock’s letter to the Astronaut High community
Dear War Eagles and all of Astroville,
I want announce my retirement, effective Friday night, Nov. 4, after our final game versus Space Coast. I am a War Eagle, through and through. I grew up in this community and absolutely love this place. I want nothing but the VERY best for our school and our entire community. I have let you all down, and for that I apologize. Astronaut deserves a better product than what we have put on the field Friday nights this season. I absolutely love and care about all the players and families that have come through our school over the years, and this saddens me terribly.
First and foremost, I want to thank Tim Sparkman and Dr. Michael Krupp for having the faith in me when they hired me as the head football coach at AHS and to Fred Bynum for taking a chance on a young man he thought would be a good teacher and coach. Also, Krista Miller for being such a great principal and friend. I also want to thank the many mentors that I had the pleasure of learning from and coaching with through the years, including Jay Donnelly, Boyd Rasmussen, Benny Boyd, Bill Shields, Terry Humphrey, Danny Quinn, Al Werneke, Chuck Wood, Pat Lusk, J.J. Edwards, Dan Burke, Scott Hallock, Merrill Worden, Dale Mays, Elijah Williams, Jeff McLean, Dan Higgins, Dr. Ben Storey, Romey Taylor, Dr. Mark Storey, Zane Taylor and so many more. I also want to thank all of my assistant coaches that have worked so hard for us through the years. I cannot express to all of you how much you have meant to me, our players and our entire football program. Man, we were so good for so long and it was because of you guys that we were able to win nearly 150 games, make 13 state playoff appearances, four region championships, two final fours and coach the GREATEST team in school history and play for the state championship. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!!!
I want to thank my family, especially my parents, because Ma and Dad, you taught me how to be a good person, and I will always cherish that. THANKS SO MUCH. I miss you Dad!!! Thank you Scott, Sheri, Kim and my wonderful boys, Bucky, Hunter and Micah. I also want to thank Cyndi for all of your support!!! There are so many people that have touched my life and coaching experience that I will never be able to thank all of you, but you all know that I truly love and respect you all.
I am so sorry that we have fallen on hard times, and I know it is ultimately my responsibility and we have not lived up to the expectations that I have for this program. For those reasons I am stepping down as our head football coach, but I will always be here to support and help in any way I can. I love this place and GO WAR EAGLES!!!
Sincerely,
Randy Hallock
Photo gallery: Photos of Astronaut’s Randy Hallock through the years