Live updates: Florida high school football coaching hires, firings in 2023-24 offseason
Unfortunately it’s that time in the year where programs or head coaches decide that it’s time to move on.
Florida high school head coaching vacancies are popping up all throughout the state as teams see their respective season’s end.
We have put together a comprehensive list of head coaching vacancies throughout the state and also state how they position became open to begin with. Take a look at our list below.
LIST CURRENT AS OF DEC. 18, 2023, 2:36 P.M. ET (28 openings)
Auburndale Bloodhounds: Kyle Sasser has stepped down as the head coach at Auburndale after five seasons at the helm, according to PolkWay’s Landlin May/Dylan Oliver.
Celebration Storm: Jeremy Palmer is no longer the head coach at Celebration, with the school in search of candidates according to FHS7v7 Association.
Chamberlain Storm: Joey Jaime is no longer the head coach at Chamberlain, with the school in search of candidates according to FHS7v7 Association.
SBLive Florida broke the story that former Plant assistant James Wilder will be the next head coach at Chamberlain.
Chiefland Indians: James Corbin announced on Nov. 13 via X, formerly Twitter, that he’s stepping down as the Indians’ head coach.
Adam Gore has returned for his third stint as head coach, according to Country Legends Radio on Nov. 28.
Citrus Hurricanes: School officially dismissed Joshua Ross as head coach on Nov. 3rd, first reported by SBLive Florida.
Crystal River Pirates: Cliff Lohrey confirmed with SBLive Florida that he is no longer the head coach of the Pirates.
DeSoto County Bulldogs: Jeff Lee stepped down as the program’s head coach, but will remain the athletic director, first reported by Patrick Obley of The Daily Sun.
Dwyer Panthers: ESPN West Palm Beach reports that Al Shipmen has stepped down as the Panthers head coach on Nov. 14.
East River Falcons: Antonio Hernandez is out after one season as East River's head coach, per Dan LaForest.
Eustis Panthers: SBLive Florida first reported that Frank Scott stepped down as the Panthers' head coach.
Glades Central Raiders: The school parted ways with Travis Moore, reported by ESPN West Palm Beach.
Gulf Breeze Dolphins: According to Patrick Bernadeau of the Pensacola News Journal, Jeff Gierke was relieved of his duties as Gulf Breeze head coach back on Dec. 9th.
FAMU Drs Baby Rattlers: The Baby Rattlers parted ways with Alex Williams during the season and are still in search for a new head coach.
Innovation High School: Innovation High School is a new program in the Orlando area and has not named a head football coach.
Lake Buena Vista Cobras: The Cobras still have not filled their head coaching vacancy.
Lake Howell Silver Hawks: SBLive Florida first reported that Shaun Lorenzano would be stepping down as head coach and accepting the same position at Fort Dorchester (South Carolina).
Lake Worth Trojans: Roberts Nichols announced on Dec. 5th via X, formerly Twitter, that he's stepping down as the program's head coach.
Leesburg Yellow Jackets: Leesburg athletic director Spencer Hey confirmed with SBLive Sports that Steven Moffett is no longer the school’s head football coach.
SBLive Florida first reported that Frank Scott, former Eustis head coach, has accepted the same position with the Yellow Jackets.
Lemon Bay Manta Rays: According to Patrick Obley of The Daily Sun, Don Southwell has stepped down as the head coach after seven seasons at the helm.
Leto Falcons: SBLive Florida first reported that Ron Perisee would be stepping down as Leto's head coach and accepting a job in the same position at Tampa Freedom.
Miami Northwestern Bulls: Michaelee Harris is out as the head coach at Miami Northwestern, according to Prep Redzone's Larry Blustein.
Sources are saying the school is looking to tab NFL'er Teddy Bridgewater as the next head coach.
Newsome Wolves: Christian Yockey announced on Tuesday (Dec. 5) that he was stepping down as head coach after 14 seasons at the school.
Tampa Freedom: Christopher Short announced on Nov. 13 via X, formerly Twitter, that he’s stepping down as the Patriots’ head coach.
SBLive Florida broke the story that Ron Perisee, former head coach at Leto High School, would be taking over in the same position.
Pensacola Tigers: Cantrell Tyson stepped down as the program’s head coach back on Sep. 20.
Pine Ridge Panthers: Eric Poyner announced via X, formerly Twitter, that he is stepping down as head coach and is taking an assistant job at DeLand High School on Nov. 15.
Greg Miller announced on X, formerly Twitter, that he has accepted the head coaching position at Pine Ridge on Dec. 13th.
Poinciana Eagles: Randy Beeken was dismissed as the program’s head coach on Nov. 7th, first reported by SBLive Florida.
Per a source, alumnus Taron Mallard is the new head coach of the Eagles.
Ridgeview Panthers: Bryan Arnette announced via X, formerly Twitter, that he’s stepping down as the school’s head football coach.
Sandalwood Saints: Adam Geis stepped down as head coach on Dec. 14, according to Clayton Freeman of the Florida Times-Union.
Santa Fe Crimson Hawks: The school is looking for a new head football coach, moving on from Clint Miller, reported by PC Gridiron on X.
Southeast Seminoles: According to Dennis Maffezzoli of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Southeast High School and head coach Brett Timmons have mutually agreed to part ways.
South Miami Cobras: Arties Knight is no longer the head coach at South Miami, with the school in search of candidates according to FHS7v7 Association.
University (Orlando) Cougars: Mark Barrett has stepped down as the program's head coach, according to a story by FloridaHSFootball.com on Monday afternoon.
Weeki Wachee Hornets: Jon Malandrucco stepped down as the head coach of the Hornets to pursue an advancement position in administration.
Wekiva Mustangs: The school advised Jeremiah Rodriguez-Schwartz he would no longer be the head coach on Oct. 19, first reported by JC Carnahan of the Orlando Sentinel.
Wesley Chapel Wildcats: Principal Matt McDermott confirmed with SBLive Florida the school parting ways with Lawrence Coleman on Nov. 7th.
SBLive Florida broke the story on Bruce Patterson accepting the head coaching position at Wesley Chapel.
Wildwood Wildcats: Vincent Brown is no longer the head coach at Wildwood, with the school in search of candidates according to FHS7v7 Association.
(Photo courtesy of the Muck City Project)
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
