BOCA RATON | In the last open coaching postition in Palm Beach County, Spanish River High school took its approach the longest, landing a former Florida Atlantic University assistant coach.
The Palm Beach Post has reported that Rod Payne, a former assistant under the now-retired Howard Schnellenberger, was named the head coach earlier today and will take over from where Ray Berger left off.
Berger, resigned back in November to spend more time involving family, but helped the Sharks program snap a 26-game losing streak this season, finishing 4-6 overall in a 7 team Class 7A district.
Payne has also been a head coach in the past at Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale and at Miami Killian.
![Winston Watkins Jr. (right) of Venice was among three athletes that stood out in the 2024 FHSAA Class 7A State Championship Game on Sat. Dec. 14, 2024, at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium in Miami [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-3-Class-7A-State-Championship-120x86.jpg)
![Venice head coach John Peacock hoists up the 2024 Class 7A State Championship trophy after the Indians defeated Lake Mary 52-19 on Sat. Dec. 14, 2024 at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Fla. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Venice-vs.-Lake-Mary-7A-recap-featured-120x86.jpg)
![FIU will be hosting the 2024 FHSAA State Championships at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium [Photo Courtesy of FIU Athletics]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-Class-7A-State-Championship-Preview-Lake-Mary-vs.-Venice-120x86.jpg)
