Lely High School in Southwest Florida has officially terminated the employment of first-year head football coach Dan Nieboer, ending his tenure after just three games. The decision was confirmed by Collier County Public Schools spokesperson Chad Oliver to USA TODAY Sports on September 8, 2026. The Trojans began their season with an 0-3 record and were outscored a total of 166 points to zero across those matchups against Gulf Coast, Immokalee, and Naples.
Interim Leadership Takes Over
In response to the coaching vacancy, Lely High School has appointed two staff members as co-interim head coaches for the rest of the 2026 season. Assistant coach Carlos Cornelio will share duties with Kit Fowler, who serves as the school’s varsity baseball coach and a physical education teacher. This transition comes less than a month into the regular football season in Florida, marking an early shift in leadership for the program.
Context of Coaching Change
Nieboer was originally hired away from Jason Witten's Liberty Christian squad in Texas back in March to lead the Lely football program. However, the team experienced a significant roster change prior to his arrival, with a mass exodus of players transferring out to neighboring high schools following Nieboer’s hiring. Despite these challenges, the school administration noted that they worked closely with Nieboer to establish a plan focused on player development and overall operations before determining that a leadership change was necessary, as we reported in Florida State Football.
Looking Ahead for the Trojans
Lely Principal Jennifer Bledsoe addressed football families in a letter regarding the decision, stating that another national search will take place to find Nieboer's replacement. The administration emphasized prioritizing player development, student-athlete growth, and fostering a positive team culture as core values for the future of the program. This coaching change follows a successful 2025 campaign where Lely went 8-4 and reached a regional semifinal appearance before falling to Miami Central.
