Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Michael Clayton stepped down as coach at Plant City after one season.
The Raiders made the decision public via their Twitter account on Tuesday. Defensive coordinator Terrence Hicks was promoted as the interim coach.
In Clayton’s lone season, Plant City went 3-7 while playing a brutally tough schedule.
During the offseason, Clayton was hired to replace James Booth, who left after five seasons. Clayton added some big names to his staff, including former Tampa Catholic standout Kenny Kelly, who quarterbacked Miami before going on to play for the Tampa Bay Rays. Kelly served as the offensive coordinator.
The Raiders had a young but talented group of skill players. Deron Coleman, a freshman who got plenty of attention from college coaches after performing well at camps this summer, was thrust into the starting role at quarterback. But Coleman left early in the season and ended up transferring to Orlando Jones.
Plant City also had to make adjustments after losing its top two leading rushers and its top three leading receivers, all of whom graduated.
The growing pains contributed to an offense that averaged 14 points per game.
Still, after starting 0-4, the Raiders had some bright spots,going 3-3 the rest of the season.
Clayton, who was selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft by Tampa Bay, spent the bulk of his career with the Buccaneers (2004-09).
His daughter, Michaela, was a starter for Academy of the Holy Names’ volleyball team that played in the Class 4A state final this past weekend.
