It wasn’t an administrator, a peer, a parent, or even a relative who gave Jim Macaluso the nudge to step away from his beloved baseball coaching career. It came from something more personal, his own 76-year-old soul. As the fall baseball season came into full swing, Macaluso, who has been a fixture in the Bay Area for decades, couldn’t shake the feeling that his time as the longest-tenured high school coach in the region—across any sport—was slowly winding down.
For 49 years, he had lived and breathed baseball, never once considering walking away from the game he loved. But in the fall of 2023, something changed. As he evaluated batting stances and base running during practice, a quiet voice started whispering in his ear: the 2025 season will be your last.
“I never had that thought cross my mind for 49 years,” said Macaluso, a proud King High School graduate from the class of 1966. “Especially after you get to 40, people ask you all the time, and I’d say, ‘I’m going to do it as long as I can. I love doing it, that’s who I am.’ But then, all of a sudden, in the first few days of fall, it was like this voice kept saying, ‘You’re done. Get out.’ It was almost surreal. Like a tap on the shoulder, a command I couldn’t ignore.”
At first, Macaluso brushed it off, dismissing the idea. “I kept thinking, No way. I’m not done. Not yet. I’ve got more to give,” he recalled. But the feeling persisted. Day after day, the voice returned, growing louder and more insistent. And after a few days, he couldn’t ignore it any longer.
In a move that surprised no one, Macaluso officially confirmed that the 2025 season would mark his farewell. It would be his 50th season at the helm of King High’s baseball team. A remarkable milestone. A half-century of dedication to the sport and to his players. A career that has earned him 675 career victories, over a dozen district championships, multiple Saladino Tournament titles, and a legacy that stretches far beyond the baseball field.
“It’s tough to put into words what Mac means to the game and to this community,” said former longtime Jesuit and Steinbrenner coach John Crumbley, Hillsborough County’s all-time wins leader with 818 victories. “He’s been a mentor to me, and I’m sure to so many others. Competing against him, being at clinics with him, sitting in meetings—it’s always a learning experience. The knowledge he has is unparalleled, and he’s always been more than willing to share it with younger coaches. That’s what makes him so special.”
Macaluso’s journey as a coach began way back in 1975, when he was hired as the baseball coach at King High on May 22, just months before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired John McKay as their first-ever head coach. Macaluso’s early staff included names like Carlos Tosca, who would later go on to manage the Toronto Blue Jays in the early 2000s. In fact, Macaluso’s first Lions team made its debut when former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio was still a junior at King, and Rays manager Kevin Cash wouldn’t be born for another 2 ½ years.
Despite such a long and storied career, Macaluso hasn’t lost his passion or drive for the game. His dedication to his players and his team has remained unwavering, earning him respect and admiration from across the entire baseball community. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the dugout or a fledgling coach just starting out, there’s one thing everyone agrees on when it comes to Macaluso: he’s an icon.
“Mac’s an icon, man,” Crumbley said with a smile. “He’s just been around forever, and his commitment to the sport and his players is unmatched. Between him and (former Gaither coach) Frank Permuy, they really took me under their wing when I was starting out. The respect I have for him goes beyond words.”
As a coach, Macaluso’s record speaks for itself. He’s had more than 50 of his players drafted or go on to play professionally, with three—Derek Bell, Tim Crews, and Calvin Pickering—reaching the big leagues. Additionally, over 160 of his players have gone on to play at the collegiate level. His legacy isn’t just about wins and losses, though. It’s about the impact he’s had on the lives of countless young men, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers both in and out of baseball.
Even more impressive is the love and devotion that Macaluso has inspired in his former players. Hundreds of them, along with fellow coaches, parents, and peers, gathered at King High in the spring of 2022 to honor him as the school’s baseball field was renamed in his honor. It was a fitting tribute to a man who has given so much to the sport, the school, and the community over the years.
“When I think about Mac retiring, it’s bittersweet,” Crumbley said, his voice tinged with a mixture of respect and admiration. “It’s great for him, of course, but the county’s losing an icon. There’s a hole that won’t easily be filled. Mac has been a constant in this community for so long. He’s a part of the fabric of Tampa Bay baseball.”
The longevity of Macaluso’s career has led many to speculate about the secrets to his success. What makes him tick? What’s been the key to his ability to keep coaching for so many years without burning out?
Leto’s J.J. Pizzio, who has spent 18 seasons at the helm of the Falcons baseball program, joked about the secret to Macaluso’s endurance: “It’s because he’s Italian,” Pizzio laughed. “But honestly, there are a lot of great qualities that come with being Italian—hard-headed, hard-working, and a little bit stubborn. We always think we’re right, and that probably helps a lot when you’re coaching!”
In all seriousness, though, Macaluso’s success as a coach can be attributed to more than just his work ethic and commitment. His ability to connect with players, to understand their needs and help them grow both on and off the field, has been a huge part of his success. He has always strived to create an environment where players feel supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.
As Macaluso prepares for his final season in the dugout, the sense of history and legacy surrounding him is impossible to ignore. The countless memories, the victories, the championships—all of it will be celebrated and cherished by those who have had the privilege of working alongside him.
For Macaluso, though, it’s always been about more than just the wins. “At the end of the day, it’s about the relationships you build,” he said. “It’s about seeing these young men grow and develop, not just as players, but as people. That’s the part I’ll always treasure the most.”
As the 2025 season approaches, the countdown to Macaluso’s final game is already underway. While his departure will leave a hole in the hearts of those who know him best, his legacy will live on through the players he’s mentored and the impact he’s had on the game of baseball in the Bay Area.
“It’s going to be tough to imagine King baseball without him,” said Crumbley. “But I’m excited for him to enjoy his golden years. He’s earned it. He’s done more than enough.”
Indeed, Jim Macaluso’s legacy isn’t just about his wins or championships. It’s about the impact he’s had on the lives of his players, his fellow coaches, and the entire community. It’s a legacy that will live on long after he steps away from the game he loves.
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