As we have done every year for many years, FloridaHSFootball.com has put together an extensive list of coaching changes in Florida with THE ORIGINAL FLORIDA COACHES MOVING VAN. The Original Coaches Moving Van has been a feature for fans alike across Florida and around the country in keeping track of all the programs that will have new head coaches going into the next season.
One of the new things we are including this year is the old coach’s overall record as the head coach at the school along with tenure, if that information is readily available to us.
We have also included a map of every single head coaching change in Florida so far that we are presently aware of. Should you have a coaching change to report or that is missing from this list, please email Joshua Wilson directly at joshua.wilson@floridahsfootball.com.
FORUMS DISCUSSION: Discuss all the coaching changes on the official thread for the The 2024 Original Florida Coaches Moving Van by clicking here.
LAST UPDATED: Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 – 7:30 p.m. ET
TOTAL COACHING CHANGES IN FLORIDA: 23 out of 602 programs
PERCENTAGE OF SCHOOLS WITH A CHANGE: 3.8%
THE MAP OF THE 2024 ORIGINAL FLORIDA COACHES MOVING VAN
CELEBRATION
OLD COACH: Jeremy Palmer
OVERALL RECORD: 2-18 (2 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Palmer announced on X, the platform previously known as Twitter, on Nov. 14 that school administration at Celebration High wanted to go in a different direction after just two seasons at the helm of the Storm. That decision was made following the conclusion of the season after Week 11. The school has already posted a classified advertisement on the FHSAA classifieds seeking a new head coach. Read more here on FloridaHSFootball.com.
Today is a tough post, last week I was informed that admin wanted to go a different direction with the football program. I want to thank everyone who has ever coached with me or gave me a chance. To all the players I have coached at CHS, Thank you.
— CoachJTPalmer (@CoachJTPalmer) November 14, 2023
CHAMBERLAIN (TAMPA)
OLD COACH: Joey Jaime
OVERALL RECORD: 3-17 (2 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Jaime stepped down as Chamberlain’s head coach after two seasons which was verified directly by FloridaHSFootball.com via text message with Jaime. The school is already underway with a search for the next head coach for the Storm via a classified ad in the FHSAA classifieds.
CHIEFLAND
OLD COACH: James Corbin
OVERALL RECORD: 11-10 (2 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Corbin announced on Nov. 13, 2023 that he was stepping down after two seasons as the head coach of the Indians via a post he made on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Per reporting by Mike Ridaught at Main Street Daily News in Gainesville, Corbin said that “I knew when we had our baby girl my time was running out as head coach.” Corbin’s daughter turns one at the end of November. Corbin lead the Indians to playoff appearances in both of his seasons as head coach.
Sadly, I am stepping down as Chiefland’s head coach. It has always been a dream of mine to coach at Chiefland and it has been a blessing all the way! I am stepping down to spend more time with my wife and our beautiful little girl. Thank you to all of Indian nation for everything
— James Corbin (@James5Corbin) November 13, 2023
CITRUS (INVERNESS)
OLD COACH: Josh Ross
OVERALL RECORD: 1-5 (.6 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: An investigation lead to Ross’ dismissal after one season as the head coach at the Citrus County school, per reports from the Citrus County Chronicle. No timeline has been announced on when Citrus will hire a new coach with an FHSAA classified advertisement having already been posted in search of a new head coach. Citrus finished the 2023 season with a 1-9 overall record that was finished off with former head coach McKinley Franklin serving as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The school currently has a classified ad posted on the FHSAA classifies seeking a new head coach.
On the day of the final game of the season, Citrus head football coach Josh Ross was told Friday he had been relieved of his duties as the result of an investigation by the Citrus County School District. https://t.co/LjGeoV3ZrQ
— Citrus County Sports (@CitrusCoSports) November 3, 2023
CRYSTAL RIVER
OLD COACH: Cliff Lohrey
OLD COACH RECORD: 23-34 (6 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Lohrey was dismissed as the head coach at his alma mater after six seasons, telling the Citrus County Chronicle the decision was not his for him and the school to go their separate ways. During his tenure Lohrey led his team to one playoff berth during his tenure, which was in 2018, his first season at the helm of the Pirates.
Cliff Lohrey, a Crystal River High School graduate who led the Pirate football team the past six seasons, is no longer head coach at his alma mater. https://t.co/BMUEHqs9uF
— Citrus County Sports (@CitrusCoSports) November 8, 2023
DESOTO COUNTY (ARCADIA)
OLD COACH: Jeff Lee
OLD COACH RECORD: 0-10 (1 year)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Just after one season as head coach at DeSoto County, Lee is stepped down from the role on Nov. 8 which was first reported by Patrick Obley at the Charlotte Sun in Punta Gorda. Obley, also reported on Oct. 31 that Lee’s staff numbered just four as players left the program which marked a stark reversal in the team that won the district championship in 2022.
https://twitter.com/PMOWriter/status/1722316619504837054
DWYER (PALM BEACH GARDENS)
OLD COACH: Al Shipman
OLD COACH RECORD: 11-10 (2 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Shipman is out as the head coach after resigning on Nov. 14, which was first reported by ESPN 106.3 FM in West Palm Beach. The school has announced a nationwide search for the next head coach to lead the Panthers that was posted on X, the platform previously known as Twitter.
BREAKING:
Dwyer has announced that they have begun the search for a new head football coach following the resignation of Al Shipman.
Shipman went 11-10 with 1 playoff apperence in 2 seasons of leading the Panthers.
— ESPN Top 63 (@ESPNTop63) November 15, 2023
Principal Corey Brooks announced on Nov 14th that the school will begin a nationwide search to find the next head football coach to lead the Panthers, following the resignation of Al Shipman.
Interested persons may apply through the School District of Palm Beach County’s website pic.twitter.com/Qqrm33EcbI
— William T. Dwyer HS Athletics (@DwyerAthletics) November 15, 2023
FAMU DRS (TALLAHASSEE)
OLD COACH: Alex Williams
OLD COACH RECORD: 3-11 (1.5 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Williams resigned midway through his second season as head coach per WCTV sports reporter Alison Posey as it was announced soon there after that Williams would take on the head coaching job for boys basketball at Godby (Tallahassee), per WFSU reporting. Williams was 3-11 overall as the head coach with the Baby Rattlers. The Tallahassee Democrat reported Willie Ferrell would be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
BREAKING: FAMU DRS is looking for a new football coach, as Alex Williams has resigned as head coach of the Baby Rattlers, effective immediately.
Attached is the press release, which says an interim coach will be appointed this week. @WCTV pic.twitter.com/0OAsVW5kGZ
— Alison Posey (@AlisonPosey14) September 25, 2023
FREEDOM (TAMPA)
OLD COACH: Christopher Short
OLD COACH RECORD: 3-46 (5 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Short announced on Nov. 13, 2023 that his time was coming to an end as the head coach at Freedom. Short’s best season as head coach came in his first year in 2019 when the Patriots finished the season 2-8, with the team failing to make the playoffs during any stretch of his tenure outside of the 2020 season when every team in the state had a chance of playing in a play-in playoff game. The school has not announced a timeline of when the next head coach to lead the Patriots will be hired.
My time at Freedom has come to an end. I have stepped down as the Head Coach of @FreedomFBTampa.
I am thankful for the relationships I've made over the last decade, but now I'm looking forward to spending time with my family and new opportunities to build together somewhere new.— Coach Short (@coachshort76) November 13, 2023
GLADES CENTRAL (BELLE GLADE)
OLD COACH: Travis Moore
OLD COACH RECORD: 4-15 (2 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Moore was relieved of his duties after two season as head coach, as first reported by ESPN 106.3 FM in West Palm Beach. Moore only won two games each season as the head coach, failing to get the Raiders to the playoffs in both seasons as the head coach.
BREAKING:@ESPNWestPalm has learned that Glades Central football has let go of Travis Moore as Head Coach.
Moore went 4-15 in 2 years of leading the Raiders.
— ESPN Top 63 (@ESPNTop63) November 5, 2023
INNOVATION (ORLANDO)
OLD COACH: N/A
OLD COACH RECORD: New School
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Innovation High will be the newest public high school that will open in Florida come August 2024. The new school is already seeking out applicants to lead the Bulls for the first time on the football field per an FHSAA classified ad posting.
LEESBURG
OLD COACH: Stephen Moffett
OLD COACH RECORD: 10-2 (1 year)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: After one season, Moffett has stepped down as the head coach of the Yellow Jackets, as first reported by SBLive Florida’s Andy Villamarzo on Mon. Nov. 20, 2023. Moffett lead the Yellow Jackets in one of Florida’s most drastic turnaround in the state in the 2023 season that earned a trip to the playoffs.
PENSACOLA
OLD COACH: Cantrell Tyson
OLD COACH RECORD: 1-13 (1.4 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Tyson announced he was stepping down after four weeks into the season back on Sept. 20 on via post he made on X, the platform previously known as Twitter. The Pensacola News Journal reported that after Tyson resigned that Martes Wheeler stepped in as the interim head coach. As of Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, the school has opened up their search for their next head coach.
https://twitter.com/Coach_CTyson/status/1704564851576569996
PINE RIDGE (DELTONA)
OLD COACH: Eric Poyner
OLD COACH RECORD: 3-16 (2 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: After two years as the head coach, Poyner is out as first reported by Chris Boyle at the Daytona Beach News-Journal on Nov. 8, 2023. Poyner led the Panthers to a 3-0 start before having a stretch of setbacks. Poyner told the News-Journal that he is disappointed that he is not going to be the head coach anymore.
Pine Ridge has parted ways with Eric Poyner after two seasons as football coach. The Panthers began 3-0, their best start in 15 years, but ended on a six-game losing streak. https://t.co/2vQ4MQF4bH
— Chris Boyle (@ChrisBoyleDBNJ) November 8, 2023
POINCIANA (KISSIMMEE)
OLD COACH: Randy Beeken
OLD COACH RECORD: 20-29 (5 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Beeken posted on the FloridaHSFootball.com Forums after he was dismissed as the school told him they were going in a different direction, giving his side of the story and going through everything he did as the head coach. According to the Osceola News-Gazette, Beeken is the winningest head coach in Eagles’ program history.
RIDGEVIEW (ORANGE PARK)
OLD COACH: Bryan Arnette
OLD COACH RECORD: 3-27 (3 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Arnette stepped down as the Panthers’ head coach on Nov. 14, 2023 after three seasons which none resulted in a playoff appearance for the Clay County school. Arnette said he is stepping away from coaching in order to spend more time with his family in a post he made on X, the platform previously known as Twitter. The school and the Clay County School District has already posted an announcement for a search for the next head coach at Ridgeview.
https://twitter.com/Coach_Arnette/status/1724561539879841904
— Ridgeview Athletics (@RHSPAthletics) November 16, 2023
SANTA FE CATHOLIC (LAKELAND)
OLD COACH: Clint Miller
OLD COACH RECORD: 9-7 (2 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: After two seasons, Miller is out as the head coach of the Crimson Hawks. The school is currently seeking a new head coach per a Nov. 3, 2023 classified advertisement on FHSAA classified ads.
SOUTH MIAMI
OLD COACH: Arties Knight
OLD COACH RECORD: 14-20 (4 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Knight is out as the head coach of the Cobras after four years in leading the Miami-Dade County program. Knight’s best record for the Cobras came in 2022 at 5-4, but never the playoffs during the four years there. South Miami is already on the search for the next head coach, per a classified ad on the FHSAA classifieds page.
UNIVERSITY (ORLANDO)
OLD COACH: Mark Barrett
OLD COACH RECORD: 4-16 (2 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Barrett stepped down as the head coach after the season with a classified ad on the FHSAA classifieds posted on Fri. Nov. 17, 2023 seeking a new head coach. When reached out to by FloridaHSFootball.com, Barrett said he stepped down for family reasons and is also looking to eventually go into school administration. You can read more and the quote provide Barrett by clicking here.
WEKVIA (APOPKA)
OLD COACH: Jeremiah Rodriguez-Schwartz
OLD COACH RECORD: 13-16 (2.8 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Per J.C. Carnahan at the Orlando Sentinel, Rodriguez-Schwartz was forced out, as first reported on Oct. 19, and was reassigned to another school on Oct. 13., stating to the Sentinel that he was “essentially fired” as the head coach of the Mustangs. Assistant coaches Lamarcus Jackson and Steve Bradenburg assumed the daily leadership duties of the team for the remaining two games that ultimately saw Wekiva miss getting an at-large playoff berth.
Orlando area has its first football head coaching vacancy: Wekiva coach Jeremiah Rodriguez-Schwartz resigned Friday, “to accept a teaching position at a middle school,” according to OCPS. Parents were alerted Monday. Mustangs are in Class 3M playoff hunt entering Week 9 at Jones.
— J.C. Carnahan (@JCCarnz) October 19, 2023
WESLEY CHAPEL
OLD COACH: Lawrence Coleman
OLD COACH RECORD: 1-9 (1 year)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Just after one season, Coleman was dismissed as the head coach of the Wildcats . Coleman told John C. Cotey at the Tampa Beacon that he was at a loss for words over the shock of his dismissal and also told Cotey that he would reapply for his old job. The school is already on the search for their next head coach which would mark their third head coach in three years.
Never heard of a coach being dismissed and then reapplying the next day when his old job is posted. @CoachLC15 says he isn't giving up on the players, or his hopes and plans for rebuilding the Wesley Chapel program.
— John C. Cotey (@JCCotey) November 7, 2023
WEWAHITCHKA
OLD COACH: Bobby Johns
OLD COACH RECORD: 33-40 (7 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: After 30-plus years of coach, Bobby Johns has retired from coaching which included 25 years of being a head coach at seven different program in Florida and one more school in Georgia. Johns was known for turning around programs and being a proven winner at most of his coaching stops. You can read more about Johns retirement including Johns’ coaching history on FloridaHSFootball.com by clicking here.
WILDWOOD
OLD COACH: Vincent Brown Sr.
OLD COACH RECORD: 25-17 (4 years)
NEW COACH: TBD
SKINNY: Brown is out as the Wildcats head man after four seasons following a difficult 2023 season. In his four years as head coach, Brown led Wildwood to three playoff berths from 2020-2022 with Wildwood’s best seasons under his leadership coming in 2020 (9-2) and 2022 (8-3). Wildwood is already seeking out their next head coach, per an FHSAA classified ad.
UPDATES TIMELINE
Initial Publication: Fri. Nov. 17, 2023 – 11:50 a.m. ET
Update No. 1: Fri. Nov. 17, 2023 – 2:53 p.m. ET
Update No. 2: Mon. Nov. 20, 2023 – 4:11 p.m. ET
Update No. 3: Mon. Nov 20, 2023 – 7:30 p.m. ET
