JACKSONVILLE – Ed White will have an old friend as its new commander when the Commanders take the field this fall.
Per Justin Barney at The Florida Times-Union, Ed White has reportedly dismissed head coach Paul Pierson after two seasons and has brought back former head coach Terry Gilliam, with the reason behind the changes undisclosed.
The change comes on the hills of a turbulent spring that saw a spring jamboree that included First Coast, Raines and Trinity Christian get dismantled by crime issues in the Jacksonville-area that resulted in a spring game with First Coast be played in front of no fans or media.
Gilliam, who went 60-36 in his first stint at Ed White, will inherit a team that is already stocked with talent and could be a potential state title contender in Class 6A this season. Multiple players on the team already hold offers from major Division I programs that include most programs within the state.
Pierson leaves Ed White with an 18-6 record and two district champions over the last two seasons. Pierson also took the Commanders to the regional finals this past season before falling to Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee.
![Addy Curry has helped lead second-year Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine) to the playoffs and will travel to Timber Creek for their first-round match. Class 4A Regional Quartefinals take place on Wednesday, April 29. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-Class-4A-Regional-Quarterfinals-Playoff-Preview.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
![Ponte Vedra QB Izzy Murray will be one to keep an eye when the Class 3A Regional Quarterfinals take place on Wednesday, April 29. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-3A-Regional-Quarterfinals-Playoff-Preview.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
![Robinson (Tampa) is chasing a 10th consecutive state championship -- and 11th overall as the Class 2A Regional Quarterfinals get underway on Tuesday, April 28. [Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-2A-Regional-Quarterfinals-Playoff-Preview.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
