Crumbley Returns To Coaching

No longer able to suppress the itch to return to baseball, former Jesuit coach John Crumbley is heading back to the dugout, just not the one on Himes Avenue.

Crumbley, currently Jesuit's athletic director, told The Times today he has been granted a one-semester leave of absence to become a volunteer assistant at Division I Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. Crumbley's son, J.J., is a senior closer for the Eagles.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Crumbley, who retired as Tigers coach in 2006 with 575 career wins and three state titles in 22 seasons.

"They're going D-I, they didn't have a young, student-assistant type they could put in that position, so it all kind of came about."

Though he hasn't nailed down living arrangements in Fort Myers, Crumbley said he'll support himself by substitute teaching in Lee County. He plans to return to Jesuit next August.

"It's the best scenario," he said.