A New Era for the Pirates
Brice Spaulding has been named head football coach at Crystal River High School, taking over a program that has seen a rapid succession of leaders in recent months.
Spaulding arrives after serving as offensive coordinator at Brooksville Hernando, where he helped shape a dynamic attack that earned regional recognition.
In his first public comments, Spaulding said he felt a deep sense of excitement and pride in joining a school with a storied football tradition and a community that has long supported its teams.
Goals and Challenges
The coach outlined a vision of returning the Pirates to the top tier of regional competition, citing the program’s rich history and the talent he hopes to develop on the field.
His appointment follows the brief tenure of Bill Legg, who was hired and then stepped down shortly after, and the interim leadership of Bill Vonada and Chris Cook during the 2024‑2025 seasons.
Despite a district championship in 2024, the team finished the previous season ranked 387th statewide, a position Spaulding is determined to improve.
The school’s athletic department and local supporters are optimistic that the new coaching staff will bring stability and renewed ambition to the program.