By Rick Pedone

Poinciana High will look for its eighth football coach since 2000 after Corey Fleming stepped down this week after two seasons and a 3-17 record.

“I decided that I would look for a job that would be a good opportunity for myself,” Fleming said Thursday. “I’ll apply to one of those Orange County jobs that are open, there are some good schools up there, and a couple of college position jobs.”

Fleming stepped in to take over the Eagles program in August of 2011 after former coach Michael Timpson was not retained after one season. Fleming was an assistant on Timpson’s staff.

The Eagles struggled on the field under Fleming, but the team’s budget went from deep red to black.

“We were $10,000 under when I got here. I’ve raised $45,000, mostly through fundraisers and in partnerships with the other programs here at the concession stand,” Fleming said. “The next coach will come in with a lot better position than I had. There’s $9,000 in the account, now.”

Fleming also noted that seven Eagles earned college grants last season.

“We did a good job of getting kids in schools, probably only behind Osceola,” he said.

Fleming said he hopes his players adhere to his advice to work hard throughout the year.

“Our guys did a good job of working all year on the off the field stuff, like the fundraisers and such, but they weren’t so good about doing the workouts all year and that was a problem for us,” he said. “I think they could see from the fundraisers that hard work does pay off. We’ve got a few guys out on the track working out right now, even without a coach to lead them, so hopefully they got that message.”

Eagles athletic director John Bangley said the search is under way for Fleming’s replacement.