Zephyrhills High School baseball coach Rusty Guynn has stepped down after nine seasons and 100 wins at the helm of the Bulldogs’ baseball program.
Guynn, who collected his final win to reach 100 in the district semifinals against rival Pasco, made the call to dedicate more time to his family.
“It has been weighing on me for a little while now, but it’s the right time,” Guynn said. “I have grandkids that are getting bigger. My wife put up with a lot because I was always going somewhere or doing something. It is time to give back to the family.”
Guynn’s Bulldogs claimed a district title in 2016 with a decisive 6-1 win over River Ridge. Zephyrhills entered the tournament with an 11-13 record as the fourth seed and picked up three straight win to take the crown before falling to Tampa Robinson in the region quarterfinals.
“It’s been a privilege to be there and coach these good kids that come through here,” Guynn said. “You see the great things they do outside of school after they graduate. Some go on to college and others serve the community. I see couple out there as firefighters and the stuff they do in the community makes me proud.”
ZHS Athletic Director Bruce Cimorelli announced Ralph Rogers, who coached Dixie Hollins in St. Pete as Guynn’s replacement. Rogers took the Royals to the state final four in 2022.
Rogers is very familiar with ZHS as his son, Devin Rogers, played baseball for the Bulldogs and graduated from Zephyrhills in 2011. Guynn and Rogers are familiar with each other as well as the Bulldogs faced off against Rogers’ Royals this season with Rogers taking the win 4-1 in extra innings.
“Ralph is going to do a good job with it,” Guynn said. “Ralph will take care of the program. He wanted it really bad. I feel comfortable leaving it to somebody who is put in the work to keep it respectable.”
Cimorelli also announced that ZHS alum Maya Clark has been named the head girls’ volleyball coach and Sydney Robbins will coach the girls’ golf team.