By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Bill Buldini has been selected as the head football coach at St. Cloud High, athletic director Chad Ansbaugh said Monday.

After former St. Cloud Coach Mark Jackson was forced to resign in early June by Principal Pam Tapley, Buldini was one of several dozen applicants for the job.

"We had a lot of glitzy resumes from 10 different states, but I got to work with Bill every day this spring when I was helping Mark, and seeing how he worked and did things the right way impressed me," Ansbaugh said. "I was glad that he applied, and based on what I saw this spring plus his previous experience, I'm satisfied that he is the right coach for our school."

This is Buldini's fifth head coaching job, including a two-year stint at Haines City in 2005-06 when he led the Hornets to the regional playoffs.

"The way this happened was quick. I thought about the situation after Mark left and I thought that it might work out pretty well for both me and the kids," he said.

Mike Short, another applicant for the job, will remain on the Bulldogs staff as the offensive coordinator. Buldini will continue to run the Bulldogs defense.

Assistant coach John Moore also will remain as the team's running backs coach.

Buldini is in the process of filling out the coaching staff.

Buldini is the fifth new head football coach in Osceola County since last season.