GADSDEN COUNTY, FL — Gadsden County High School football is entering a new chapter with the hiring of a new head coach after a season marked by instability and sanctions.
- Daniel Fish is coming from Flagler Palm Coast where he coached for two years and bringing collegiate playing experience from Valdosta State.
- The program spent last season without a head coach after the former coach resigned while suspended, following an audit that found false paperwork involving eight student-athletes.
- Watch the video below to see how school leaders, players, and the new coach say the focus now is rebuilding trust, team morale, and stability.
UPDATED BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Gadsden County High School football has a new leader after an entire season without a head coach.
I'm Tatyana Purifoy, your Gadsden County neighborhood reporter, and school officials have announced a new hire they believe can restore structure and move the Jaguars forward.
Gadsden County High School football is entering a new era.
School officials announcing Daniel Fish as the Jaguars’ new head coach, stepping in after the program spent last season without a permanent leader.
Ronterious Smith, a incoming senior, said, “He was a great candidate…He was good, better than some of the stuff that we had.”
Coach Fish comes to Gadsden County after two years coaching at Palm Coast and brings collegiate playing experience from Valdosta State University.
He says he understands the situation this program is coming out of and is ready to help guide it forward.
“Did you hear about that situation before taking this position?”
Fish said, “I firmly believe that you build an outstanding culture, and you win games, and you build thing thing up, and everyone will want to come. And you won't have to do anything that could jeopardize the program in the future.”
Players say the change already feels different.
One of the student-athletes who sat in on the interview process says having a coach in place brings hope and a sense of direction back to the locker room.
Smith said, “I'm really just worried about how the season is going to go along. We got a coach now we have to finish the plan.”
The vacancy followed the resignation of the former head coach, who was suspended after an audit revealed false paperwork involving eight student-athletes, leading to sanctions and a challenging year for the team.
With a new leader on the sidelines, the focus now turns to rebuilding trust, restoring morale, and setting a positive tone for the future of Jaguar football.
Smith said, “ I'm just ready to have it…Hopefully we get everything situated.”
The new head coach is officially taking over with the goal of bringing consistency and stability back to the Jaguars.
In Gadsden County, Tatyana Purifoy, ABC 27.
Original:
On Wednesday, January 14th, the Gadsden County School District announced that Daniel Fish as the new Gadsden County High School Head Football Coach.
This comes nearly five months after Russell Ellington, the previous head coach, announced his resignation in August.
The release says Fish brings five years of experience leading high school programs across the state, including capturing two district championships with Father Lopez High School.
They say he's committed to developing student-athletes' skills, character, and future.
Fish says in part,
"I'm excited for the opportunity to build a championship culture within a program that has a proud and winning tradition."
GCSD says Fish will begin his new position for the 2026-2027 football season. The school district says it will host an opportunity for students, parents, and community members to meet Fish at a later date.
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