6 High School Football Coaches Fired Weeks Before 2026 Season

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The 2026 high school football season is getting ready to begin in the United States. Most high school football teams have begun reporting to practice. Games begin in mid to late August in the majority of U.S. states.

However, right before the start of the 2026 high school football season, six coaches have been fired or put on leave in Florida, stemming from an apparent incident at school.

Mariner High School (Cape Coral, Fla.) is hoping to have a big year in 2026. Florida is known for being one of the top high school football states in the country, along with Texas and California. Few states produce as much or more elite college football recruits.

But the Mariner High School football program is going through a major controversy. The school's head coach and top assistant have been relieved of their duties. Meanwhile, four other assistant coaches have been let go.

The school sent a letter to parents on Aug. 4 announcing that head coach Tyran Jones and assistant coach Kaycie Zorbas had been relieved of their duties, due to a "lack of supervision" by the staff during a gathering. Four other assistant coaches who were not employees of the school district were fired, too.

There was a team-building "lock-in" event at the school. While principal Tom Michel confirmed that no hazing took place, rules were violated. Students who violated rules will be held accountable, the school confirmed.

"While student privacy laws prevent us from disclosing specific names or consequences, please be assured that no hazing took place and every individual involved is being held fully accountable," the letter read.

The high school football program is coming off a 3-7 season in 2025. Jones was entering his second season as the school's head coach. Doug Faase, an assistant football coach who was not present at the lock-in, will serve as interim head coach.

"We believe this new coaching staff is well-prepared, experienced, and deeply committed to leading our student-athletes with integrity both in the classroom and on the field," Michel said in the letter.

Mariner High School is scheduled to begin the 2026 high school football season on on Aug. 14. against Cypress Lake.

More details surrounding the incident could come out at a later time.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Aug 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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