Dunedin Football: Falcons Head Coach Resigns

Max Smith announced Friday that he is resigning from his position as head football coach at Dunedin High.

He is leaving to pursue a graduate assistant position at the University of Toledo, a job he turned down last year, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Smith, who replaced head coach Jack Benson, took over a 2-7 team that graduated 12 seniors in 2011 and quickly set to work turning the program around. 

"He bought new lockers, designed a new helmet and uniforms and allowed music to be played on a loudspeaker during practice. The Falcons showed progress, going 4-6 in 2011 and improving by two wins last season," the Times reports.

Last year, the Falcons had their first winning season since 2008.

Smith, 28, came to Dunedin from Pinellas Park, where he was the offensive coordinator. Before that he was the defensive coordinator and secondary/wide receivers coach at Northeast High School, where he served for three years.

Smith was a receiver at Mount Union College in Ohio, where his team won two Division III national championships. The Times also reports that Smith has ties to University of Toledo from his Mount Union days, and when he starts there, he will work with the receivers.

Dunedin High Principal Reuben Hepburn called a last-minute meeting for all involved in the football program 1 p.m. Saturday.