JOHN PEACOCK

HEAD COACH

Coach Peacock has laid a foundation of excellence, and a No Excuses attitude for his players to follow. He and the rest of the Indian staff strive to develop their players to become leaders on the field, in the classroom, and out in the community.

Born and raised in Venice, Fl. Coach Peacock is married to Briana Peacock, a former standout on the VHS Volleyball Team.

    In three seasons as head coach of the Indians, John Peacock has compiled an 27-6 record. As he enters his fourth season at the helm, Coach Peacock continues to build upon the foundation set in 2007.

For his first year efforts, Coach Peacock received high accolades from his fellow coaches, the press, and community members by being named the SNN/PAL Coach of the Year, District Coach of the Year, and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune Coach of the Year. He is the only person to receive both coach and player of the year awards by the Herald. In 2010, Coach Peacock was named the National Strength Coach of the Year by American Football Monthly.

The 2009 season saw many accomplishments for the Indians. They opened up their season on ESPN, which garnered them National attention and brought Venice High Football into millions of homes across America. Another milestone was reached as a third consecutive district championship was captured, a fete never before done in the history of Venice Football. Once again, Venice led the area in offense averaging 34.5 points and 378.3 yards per game, as well as a +18 turnover differential. The Indians have been 12-0 in the district the past three seasons and have not lost to an area team in two years.

Coach Peacock has been a member of the Venice High teaching community and Indian football staff since 1999. Before taking over as Head Coach in 2007, Peacock served as Linebacker, Defensive Back, Wide Receivers, and Running Backs coach, as well as Special Teams Coordinator, and before taking over the reigns, as Defensive Coordinator.

LARRY SHANNON

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

As a player, Coach Shannon was a very successful athlete. From 1993 to 1997 he was an outstanding wide receiver for the East Carolina Pirates. Upon graduating from ECU with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1997, he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Coach Shannon was in the Dolphins organization from 1998 to 2000, in 2000 he went to the Oakland Raiders, and in 2002 was with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He received his Masters in Exercise and Sports Science in 2004 from ECU.

Coach Shannon was an assistant coach at ECU from 2003-2004. He has been a coach and teacher at Venice High School since 2004.

  Originally from Starke, Fl, Coach Shannon is our defensive coordinator. He is entering his sixth year at VHS. Under his guidance the Indian defense has been considered one of the best in the area. They have allowed, on average, only 13 points per game the past three seasons. In 2008, the defense allowed only 199 offensive yards per game, while sacking opponent quarterbacks 18 times and causing 22 turnovers. 2009 saw an unprecedented 33 ½ total team sacks, while causing 15 fumbles and picking off opposing quarterbacks 12 times. Coach Shannon shows a high intensity and extreme passion for the game. That emotion has transferred to his players, and on Friday nights you can see the defense swarming to the ball and playing inspired.

Larry is married to Kweli Shannon and has three children: Jannah 13, Larry David 5, and Aaliyah 4.

JON COOLEY

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Born and raised in Sarasota, Florida, Coach Cooley will enter his third year at Venice High coaching quarterbacks and coordinating the Offense.  As a player, Coach Cooley was a successful athlete. He graduated from Cardinal Mooney in 1992 where he was First team all-area and an all-state quarterback. From 1993-1996 he was a quarterback for the Auburn Tigers. Upon graduating from Auburn with a BA in Communications, he went on to play professionally in Europe for the Tyreso Royal Crowns. In his first year Coach Cooley lead the Crowns to the championship game.

In 2001 and 2002 Coach Cooley was the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach at Cardinal Mooney, where his teams both went to the second round of the playoffs each year. Both quarterbacks led the area in passing and were ranked among the top 3 in the state of Florida. They both signed Division I scholarships, and went on to have successful college careers. In 2003, he was the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach at Barron Collier in Naples, Florida.

MIKE BARTLETT

TE/DB COACH

A Buckeye through and through, Coach Bartlett is from Cambridge, Ohio. Mike played four years at West Liberty State in West Liberty, WV, as a wide receiver and quarterback. He received his Bachelor’s in Physical Science and Special Education from West Liberty in 1992, and his Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University in December 2005.

This is Coach Bartlett’s eighth year coaching at Venice High. He is in charge of the Tight Ends and Defensive Backs. Coach Bartlett’s current teaching assignment is PC Support.

He is married to Brenda Bartlett, who is also a guidance counselor at VHS. They have one daughter, Leah, who is five.

Coach Bartlett has been coaching for 16 years. He spent one year at Buckeye Local High School as the Head JV coach, Running Backs coach, and Defensive Backs coach. At Terry Sanford High in Fayetteville, NC he spent four years as a wide receivers coach. Coach Bartlett also spent five years coaching wide receivers, defensive backs, and outside linebackers at rival Charlotte High School.

DAVE BUTLER

OL COACH

DAMON WILSON

RB COACH

This is Coach Wilson’s first year coaching with the Indians. He is a graduate of Ribault Sr High in Jacksonville, Fl 1990. He received a full athletic scholarship to East Carolina University where he was a four-year letterman on their football team. Coach Wilson received his BS in Criminal Justice from ECU, and is the founder of Building Blocks Investment Group.

He is married to Lisa Michelle Wilson, and has four children: Omari 15, Cayla 12, Damon 4,  and adopted cousin Terrel 15.

TIM WEIDLEIN

ILB COACH

Born and raised in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico Coach Weidlein enters his second season on the Venice High Football staff coaching inside linebackers.  Coach Weidlein, during his high school football career lettered all four years.  After graduating in 2002 from Antilles High School he received an academic scholarship from Kent State University.  There Coach Weidlein majored in Health and Physical Education and completed his degree in May of 2007.   Currently he is working towards his masters in Physical Education at the University of South Florida.

Coach Weidlein will be entering his second year of teaching H.O.P.E and PE at Venice High School.  He is excited that he has become a part of the Venice football family and is excited for the upcoming season.

JESSICA PLUCHINO

ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD COACH

HEAD EQUIPMENT MANAGER

This is Jessica’s eleventh season with the Indians, and third year as the head equipment manager. In 2000 and 2001 Jessica was a student manager and after graduating from Venice High in 2002, stayed on as the assistant equipment manager.

Since graduating, Jessica has balanced her time between football, work and school. Jessica is currently enrolled with the University of Phoenix online, as she pursues her Bachelors in Psychology.

Jessica is one of two people on staff left with a State Championship ring. The other is Coach Peacock. 

This is Coach Butler's sixth season with the Indians.

He is married to Vickie and they have two children, Kayla and Brett.

COACH BUTLER
CIRCA 1979

Coach Butler is originally from Venice, Fl. And is a 1980 graduate of Venice High School. Coach Butler played for the Indians throughout high school under legendary coach Jim Powell. He continued his playing career at Ottawa University and received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Physical Education and Recreation in 1985.