Dolphins have a new Football Coach

[E.T.]

Jacksonville U. may land Bell

By PAT DOOLEY

Sun sports writer

Jacksonville was the scene of some of Kerwin Bell's shining moments as a Florida quarterback. It could also be the scene of his first college head coaching job.

Bell has been in negotiations with Jacksonville University to become the school's next head coach. JU plays Division III football with no scholarships offered to players.

Bell interviewed this week with Jacksonville and athletic director Allen Verlander. He expects to meet with Verlander again Sunday to go over the four-year contract.

"We've asked for some things and some conditions to be upgraded and they've come through on everything," said Bell, who was UF's quarterback from 1984-87 and has been the head coach at Trinity Catholic High in Ocala the last five years.

"I'm not going to go there and be frustrated. I have the best high school job in the state of Florida right now. I've worked hard at it for five years. My son Kade is getting ready to go into ninth grade. But for my career, this may be the best opportunity."

Jacksonville, which fired coach Steve Gilbert after this season, would be getting not only a successful high school coach with an offensive mind but instant name recognition in a city full of Gators.

Bell, who led Trinity Catholic to a state title last year and a runner-up finish this season, said an announcement, assuming everything goes well on Sunday, could be made next week.

Gilbert led JU from its birth as a football program 10 years ago and through the past nine seasons. The Dolphins finished the 2006 season with a 4-6 record.