Longtime Bay Area football coach John Castelamare is stepping away from the sideline.
After 43 years of guiding teams, most recently at the Academy at the Lakes, Castelamare is retiring, Wildcats athletic director Tom Haslam said.
In his four years coaching the Wildcats program, Castelamare helped lead the team to district and regional titles and a spot in the state Final Four. Castelamare's legacy in Pasco County began at Ridgewood, where he helped build the football program from its first year and also at Wesley Chapel.
Former assistant coach Shawn Brown replaces Castelamare, who will remain on staff as a physical education teacher and strength training consultant. Brown was the Wildcats top assistant last season as they advanced to the Final Four.