He's back: Mark Whittemore returning as Buchholz football coach. How did it happen?

Fourteen months ago, Buchholz football went out with the old and in with the new with the retirement of Mark Whittemore and the hiring of Chuck Bell.

Tuesday, the opposite occurred.

The Bobcats football program announced that Bell stepped down after one year at the helm. Whittemore will return as head coach, a position he held from 2012-22.

Bell will remain on staff as defensive coordinator and continue to teach at Buchholz as well.

He informed the school of his decision on Friday and told the team Tuesday afternoon.

“Buchholz would like to extend its appreciation to Coach Chuck Bell for his efforts and success leading our football program over the last year,” athletic director Ron Brooks said in a statement. “We are excited to have such a strong coaching staff as we continue to carry on the Buchholz tradition of football excellence.”

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Why is Bell stepping down?

Bell’s decision to step down was done on his own accord.

The Buchholz alum and his wife, Samantha, will be welcoming their third child this fall, and the Bell family will have three children under the age of five.

Whittemore already had said he yearned to return to the sidelines in an assistant coach capacity. And, given his family situation, Bell formulated a plan.

“Over the last week is when the conversation started. The whole idea was brought up by me,” Bell said. “The idea of Coach Whittemore becoming the head coach and me stepping back.”

Bell believed that if Whittemore wanted to come back, why not put him in the role he knows best?

“I wouldn’t be stepping down for anyone besides Coach Whittemore”

Fortunately, for all parties, Whittemore was on board.

“This is a very special place,” Whittemore said. “I recharged my batteries last year, and I feel like it can be a very seamless transition.”

In addition to football coach, Whittemore is a teacher at Buchholz, and he admitted he needed a break. He knew, though, that Bell was capable of the success.

“I was so impressed with the transition,” Whittemore said. “Coach Bell is one of the best high school coaches around, and so having him stay on staff brings a lot of comfort.”

What to know about Whittemore and Bell

Whittemore is a Bobcat through and through. He was a member of the squad’s lone state championship in 1990 and began as an assistant in 1996.

He took over the head coaching job in 2012 and amassed a 78-48 record, capped by state final four appearances in 2021 and 2022.

He retired following the 2022 season after the Bobcats lost in the Class 4S State Semifinals to Venice. Whittemore departed alongside his son, QB Creed Whittemore, who went to Mississippi State after winning Mr. Florida for the first time in Alachua County history.

Bell took over last December after serving as DC from 2019-22.

He helmed Buchholz to its best season since 1990. The ‘Cats (13-1) finished with a perfect 10-0 regular season record before falling to eventual state champion Lakeland 21-20 in the 4S state semis.

When Whittemore retired, Bell said he wasn’t looking for head coaching jobs and never envisioned himself as one that soon.

“The record speaks for itself, and it’s good to know that 13-1 will be something that carries with me until I become a head coach again,” At our banquet, the 23 seniors said this season was the most fun season they ever had.”

Bell noted he would like to coach again once his kids are older, but he realized the job is much tougher than expected.

“Especially at a level like this where mediocrity is not acceptable,” Bell said. “There probably wasn’t a game that we weren’t expected to win walking in, and that’s a lot of pressure.”

How do the ‘Cats look next season?

For now, Bell’s thrilled to remain as DC, but it’ll be a challenge. The ‘Cats lost key pieces like Florida commit Myles Graham, Texas A&M commit Kendall Jackson and all-stater Thomas Weinhardt.

Whittemore knows it means a lot to keep that continuity at the top.

“The program is the coaches and kids, so we try to make those two things the primary concern at Buchholz,” Whittemore said. “The coaching staff is a veteran and talented one.”

Offensively, the Bobcats lose RB Quinton Cutler and top WR Jordan Richardson, but they return QB Trace Johnson and WR Justin Williams. The two rising juniors have already begun to receive D1 offers.

“The numbers they put up last year were nothing short of fantastic,” Whittemore said. “We’ll have our work cut out for us, but there’s a great opportunity to keep that train rolling.”

Whittemore’s youngest son, Andrew, jumps to ninth grade next year. After his year away, Whittemore knows he can focus on football and family.

“One thing I enjoy about high school football is you can prioritize family, and here at Buchholz, we really try to do that,” Whittemore said.

Spring practice for the Bobcats expects to begin in April.

Noah Ram covers Gainesville-area high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun. Contact him at Nram@gannett.com and follow him @Noah_ram1 on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Buchholz football rehires coach Mark Whittemore after one year hiatus