Few football coaches stay at one school for more than a decade. Now one of Broward’s mainstays is opting for a change.

Pine Crest coach Keith Flynn resigned earlier this week to take a job as running backs coach at Western Michigan University. Not only did he spend 12 years heading the Panthers program, he graduated from the school in 1979, excelling at quarterback.

“It’s very bittersweet,” said Flynn, whose last day at the Fort Lauderdale private school was Friday. “I have nothing but fond memories. I’ve enjoyed all the student-athletes I’ve worked with, but I also want to go to the next level. It’s time to do something new.”

Flynn, 39, said his wife and two children will remain in South Florida until the end of the school year and make the move north during the summer.

Flynn compiled a 79-40 record at Pine Crest. Only one other coach in the county has been at the same school longer — George Smith of St. Thomas. And he’s one of Flynn’s biggest fans.

“He’s one of the best,” Smith said. “I have a lot of respect for Keith and the job he did at Pine Crest. It’s a huge loss for Pine Crest and Broward County.”

Flynn won’t be totally separating himself from South Florida. Along with his coaching duties, Flynn will recruit in the South Florida area.

“That will be a big part of my job, and I think it’s one reason they wanted me,” he said. “There is a lot of talent here. Hopefully I’ll get some of it to head north with me.”

Crawley steps down

Miramar girls’ basketball coach Dick Crawley has resigned his position but plans to remain at the school as a science teacher.

Crawley coached the Patriots for seven years over two stints. He led the team for two years, then stepped down to serve as athletic director, a position he held for five years. His second term as girls’ coach was for five years right after surrendering athletic director duties.

The past two years have been Miramar’s best. The team was 21-7 last year and 20-10 the previous year.

“I was just really tired,” Crawley said. “It takes a lot of time away from my family. We had a good couple of years, so I thought this was the right time.”

Athletes up for awards

Several local girls’ basketball players and coaches have been nominated for statewide honors. The first round of voting took place with one coach and player from each classification up for awards.

Those nominated from their district are Trineca McCleod of Deerfield Beach (6A), Sandora Irvin of Fort Lauderdale (5A), Cindy Ferwerda of Northeast (4A), Benita Butler of Cardinal Gibbons (3A), Agne Sagaikaite of Westminster Academy (2A) and Kelly Ryan of Fort Lauderdale Christian (1A).

Coaches nominated are Michelle Paugh of Cooper City (6A), Abby Ward of South Broward (5A), Fredericka Carter of Hallandale (4A), Gregg Lasher of Cardinal Gibbons (3A), Buddy Pressley of Westminster Academy (2A) and Todd Weyhe of Fort Lauderdale Christian (1A).

On the college front

Carmelita Layog (Taravella) is averaging 10.8 points and has started the past 21 games for Georgia State University. Her 52 3-pointers broke the school’s season record and she is just five away from the school’s career record. … Baseball player Ted Karniewicz (Pine Crest) is a senior at Emory University in Atlanta. He enters the season with a school-record 23 career home runs and is just 22 RBI away from a career mark in that category.

Michelle Gardner can be reached at or 954-356-4651.