Florida high school football coach fired after just three games

September 9, 2026 - 02:38

Dan Nieboer's tenure at Lely High School in Florida lasted only three weeks. The school district confirmed his dismissal on Monday, ending a short and turbulent stint that began with high hopes and ended with an 0-3 record.

Nieboer was brought in from Texas, where he served on Jason Witten's coaching staff at Liberty Christian. The move was seen as a major get for Lely, a program looking to rebuild under a coach with ties to a Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end. But the on-field results did not match the offseason buzz. After three consecutive losses, the administration decided to make a change.

The timing is unusual, as most coaching changes happen before the season or at the end of it. But Lely's leadership felt the move was necessary to correct the team's direction. No interim coach has been named yet, though assistant coaches are expected to take over day-to-day duties for the remainder of the season.

Nieboer's departure raises questions about the hiring process and whether the fit was ever right. Some local observers noted that his offensive system, built for a private school roster in Texas, did not translate well to a public school in Florida with a different talent pool. Others point to the simple reality of a tough early schedule.

For now, Lely players are left to regroup. The team will look to snap the losing streak this Friday, but they will do so without the man who was supposed to lead them. The search for a permanent replacement will likely wait until the offseason.