For Coach Randy Irick, soccer has been an integral part of life for 43 years.
“I have always loved every sport I’ve played, but soccer was always my main sport,” Irick said. “I started playing when I was 7 or 8 years old, and it’s what I have done for 43 years.”
Irick has been coaching for 30 years, including 17 years at the high school level. He currently serves as the head coach for the Palm Harbor University High School girls varsity soccer team and recently completed his eighth season with the Hurricanes.
Irick has built a powerhouse program at Palm Harbor. In his eight years with the school, the Hurricanes have claimed one state title, five Final Four appearances, four district championships and six Pinellas County Athletic Conference titles.
But Irick’s Tampa Bay soccer roots run much deeper.
“I was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. I moved to Countryside when I was 5 years old. The only time I didn’t live in Tampa was my one year playing college soccer,” he said.
Irick was a four-year starter at Countryside High School, earning All-County first team honors three consecutive years. He was named offensive MVP and leading scorer two years in a row and won a state championship with the Cougars in 1991.
Irick played one year of Division 1 soccer at Quincy University.
He also played for the Clearwater Chargers club team, winning three state championships and finishing as national runner-up twice.
“On the field, it’s certainly winning state titles — as a player in high school, in club, and as a coach in high school,” Irick said, reflecting on his most meaningful achievements.
Winning a state title as both a player and coach is a rare feat. Irick led Palm Harbor to a state championship in 2016.
Head Coach Randy Irick (Person furthest to the right) has built a powerhouse at Palm Harbor University
Still, he says coaching is about more than trophies.
“My philosophy is to have the team feel like a family,” Irick said. “Win or lose, we have someone we can count on to have our back in good times and bad. After graduation, you still have a team to come to and be a part of.”
That philosophy has translated into success beyond the field. Under Irick’s leadership, his players have achieved in the classroom. Irick’s players have a 100% graduation rate in his time at Palm Harbor University.
“Off the field, my biggest achievement is seeing former players become successful coaches or come back and tell me how much the team meant to them — and how much they appreciated me not just as a coach, but as someone who cared,” Irick said.
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