BELLEAIR, Fla. — What’s one of the winningest coaches in Tampa Bay high school history doing these days?

Whatever he wants.

What You Need To Know

  • Former Armwood head coach Sean Callahan says he is enjoying his retirement

  • He spends times as a starter and ranger at the Belleair Country Club

  • The Hawks will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their first state championship this fall

Sean Callahan is spending his retirement in ways most people dream of — on the golf course. There’s just one drawback.

“The one thing I don’t like about this job, there’s just one thing, I gotta shave. I gotta shave,” he said. “You can’t have any hair on your face.”

Chances are, if you played a round of golf at the Belleair Country Club, Callahan got your round started. Retired from the sidelines and the Hillsborough County School District, the former Armwood High head football coach spends some of his downtime as a starter and ranger at the prestigious club.

The golfers on the gorgeous course might not know their starter’s football pedigree.

Callahan helped guide the Armwood Hawks to multiple state championships starting in 2003 — marking the first time since 1969 a Hillsborough County team won a title.

Now he navigates a life of leisure.

When he’s not on the golf course, you might find Callahan on a boat. Specifically, his stepson Mike Eastman’s Hubbard’s Marina ferry boat headed out to Shell Island.

Not only can Callahan enjoy the water, but he also enjoys some family time and watches as Eastman’, known as The Seashell King, work his magic with tourists.

Making seashell trinkets is a little service Eastman does to enhance the trip of the charter guests.

“That’s why I do it, because of the smiles,” he said. “I’ve had kids come up to me and give me big hugs and say, thank you Seashell King.”

Callahan said he can appreciate those little details and the impact they can have on kids. He had quite an impact on a lot of young high school players during his 27-season tenure at Armwood. Can he ever imagine going back?

“With all the changes and the interaction of players now, it’s challenging,” Callahan said. “People don’t really appreciate teaching and coaching like it should be done.”

Across the bay from Bellair Country Club is where Callahan and his wife live. He’s carved out a nice little retirement niche taking in the best Florida has to offer.

“I knew I was going to be on the beach, but I didn’t know where I was going to be on the beach,” Callahan said. “So this has really been a great experience and a lot of fun. And it’s a very healthy way of living, really nice people and something I look forward to each day.”