UPDATE: PHU suspends baseball coach over snake incident

Palm Harbor University baseball coach Jeremy Albrecht has been temporarily relieved of his duties while the Sheriff's Office investigates allegations that he was involved in the purchase, killing and burial of a snake in the team's field, Pinellas County schools spokesperson Andrea Zahn said.

Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda said that according to the school resource officers, they and school officials on Monday dug "in and around the field and nothing was found." Barreda went on to say that the allegations appear to be unfounded.

PHU senior second baseman Zach Sobel said it was the players who bought the snake, killed it with a shovel and buried it on the pitcher's mound. He did not say which players bought the snake or killed it, but did say that no one objected to the action.

"We were on a losing streak and coach said we were snake-bitten," Sobel said. "So we just kind of went with it. It's unfortunate because our coach could lose his job over this and he shouldn't. We don't deserve this."

Albrecht, a third-year coach who has led the Hurricanes to a 9-9 record this season, was not present when the snake was killed, according to Sobel. Albrecht said he can't comment while an investigation is ongoing.

James Felce, a teacher at the school, has taken over as interim coach, Hurricanes athletic director Larry Lopez said. Felce coached the team in the late 1990s. He resigned as PHU's coach in 1998 due to a hazing incident.

Sobel said some disgruntled parents, unhappy that their kids either did not make the team or did not start, spearheaded the investigation into the snake incident.

"There's been a lot of turmoil with some parents this year," Sobel said.

Lopez and Zahn would not give further details on the alleged incident, which Zahn said would have occurred over spring break.

-- BOB PUTNAM, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[THINK I AIN'T]

Hey if TWI is not what your looking for there is always IMG those boys from Pendelton look pretty good A but you better bring two check books, oh yea lets not forget you don't buy tallent you develop it so if you don't have any to start with you will just be wasting your money so lets at least keep it our own county it all fun. and as for AAU they have put plenty of players in the big leauges. Lets not forget those 2006 Tampabay Renegades that team was full of great players from around the area. You want to cry about coaching you just go over to C-side and watch those bunch of coaching misfits they don't even make player's accountable so they just keep making the same mistakes they have a great team if only they play the right team THE BEST NINE!!!

[umpiresareneverwrong]

I just heard that the assistant coach that was not suspended is a teacher at PHU. Was he offered the head coach position before Felce? They are both teachers at the school... oh wait, maybe it's because the assistant coach isn't part of WI.... Makes you wonder...

[baseballfan]

Hey former big leaguer-TWI is about the best thing going in Pinellas county right now-solid coaches and staff, good instruction from guys who really care about the boys. Alternately you can go up to EL-little league fields and pay $$$ from some past wanna-be and not learn a darn thing. Or better yet play AAU and go NO where.
Hope Felce gets back into coaching-its been a long time coming! PHU deserves someone like him again!

[FormerBigLeaguer]

Winning Inning? What a joke. Bring your checkbook is right. There league is terrible and its always about money. The kids are not getting any better in any of those Winning Inning leagues. Some High school coaches who work there, are trying to make their kids play for Winning Inning. Doesnt seem right to me. If your not on the main scout team the Winning Inning is a waste of time and money. Biggest scam going right now. Dont fall into it.

[blue and white fight]

parents always seem to be the worst in baseball. maybe cuz they're closer to the dugouts? maybe cuz baseball draws smaller crowds? i don't know the reasoning. but in football if a kid gets benched there usually isn't a riot and a tattle tale on a coach.

[Peabody]

Same old story. Parents need to stay on the side line. This isnt Little league where you get guarenteed playing time!!!! If you think PHU is bad, try watching the Seminole High parents. They have had 2 revolts and at least 4 kids quit already!The snake must not have worked as Dunedin smoked them tonight 9-0

[wellswood]

Look, I don't have a dog in this fight at all. I will say this though, if a coach has to do this type of stuff to "motivate" his team, he doesn't need to coach.
I agree reptileguy, Carolina John is taking it waaaay to personal.

[reptileguy]

Carolina John, a.k.a coach...taking this a bit personal aren't you? Hum.

[reptileguy]

Gosh, there is a lot of angry people in PHU-land. Wonder why?
1. Years of bad coaching
2. Years of nutty parents
3. The "Sage" Albrecht in command
4. Years of bad coaching
5. Realtors are not doing so good.
It's 2009-the year of CHANGE.
About time don't you think?

[North Carolina John]

Hey Parents that don't have a clue, if your son little Jimmy Jizzo can't do any of the following; run, catch, throw, hit, chew gum, or spit chaw tobacca, then he don't belong on ANY team. He needs to stay in the concession stand and sell pop. You can't blame the coach because your kid can't do what you did in your looser life. Wait, did any of you so called greats go to any of the pro teams??? BET NOT or you would not be here today b_itching about a coach and his way of training.

[colorchanger]

Our pond is loaded with snakes and geese, the neighborhood kids use them for target practice. Should I call the police, oops, it's their dad.

[umpiresareneverwrong]

Yep, that's true.

[baseball coach]

The story changes.Well I guess the student athletes who killed the snake are the next in line to get suspended? I hope PHU parents are happy now. Sadly only the kids will suffer!

[hater]

What a joke. Let me get this straight, the guy did not buy the snake, did not kill the snake, did not bury the snake and was not there when it happened? Why is he in trouble?

Why would anyone want to coach in Pinellas County? Administrators never back the coaches.

[Jim]

Yes! Someone speaks the truth! As umpires, we can tell you without a doubt that the problem with almost any program is some of you parents. Oh, how we laugh! Its hard for kids to excel when they are saddled with over zealous parents trying to re-live their youth.

[umpiresareneverwrong]

aww, don't hate now... Jeremy and Jim are both good guys. You are right about one thing...the problem with PH's baseball program is the parents...

[Jim]

Sounds like "Soccer (Dad)(Mom)" is upset! That mean ole' coach won't let you play! Get in the Mini-Van kids, we're going home!

[baseballfan]

By the sounds of it-with the many years of putting up with "the snake charmer" I think the entire PHUHS baseball crowd will be happy when JA gets the heck outta dodge and hits the dusty trail.

[Jim]

Lost his job over killing a snake! Sounds like the fathers who's "Little Timmy" isn't playing enough are happy.

[baseballfan]

Time to take a long hard look at the "snake charmer" himself Albrecht, and his decisions. Get him outta PHUHS for good - let the program develop like it should have years ago.
Felce is a WELCOME replacemnet and hopefully permanent at PHU....guy knows the game and how to coach. You loser DAD's with an attitude toward Felce outta get your kids into another sport cause they must stink at baseball. Perhpas umping!!

[sexy beast]

Felce would be a great hire for good. Hes a very smart baseball guy and knows the game.
I would like some info on that hazing incident on here just out of curiosity
TWI is taking over north county their influence is everywhere
EL manager and one coach are former products, Felce is a coach there and an asst for Cside is a former player. And clearwtaer plays there

[umpiresareneverwrong]

yep, same guy.
PHUHS baseball is now Winning Inning North - sign up for your personal hitting lessons, bring your checkbook!

[baseball coach]

Did Felice lose that job in the 90's over hazing?