High school football: Immokalee searching for new coach to replace Johnny Smith

Immokalee is looking for a new head football coach again.

The previous powerhouse that won Southwest Florida's second state championship has tried a pair of alumni for its most recent two coaches.

Johnny Smith was let go after two seasons. The Indians were winless in 2020 in his first season — the first time in school history — then had to shift to an independent due to a lack of players this season and went 2-7.

“Immokalee High School’s football program is in a rebuilding phase," Immokalee principal Clara Calderon said in an emailed statement. "When evaluating the future needs of the program, we made the decision to move in a different direction. We are grateful for Coach Johnny Smith’s dedication and service on behalf of the Immokalee High School Indian football program.

"Mr. Smith will remain in his teaching position, and we wish him the best in his future coaching endeavors. Immokalee High School will be advertising for a new coach locally and through the Florida High School Athletic Association.”

Collier schools would only provide emailed responses to questions from Calderon, and would not allow an interview with athletic director Chris Siner on the football coaching job. Smith did not respond to a request for comment.

The school advertised the opening on the FHSAA website on Nov. 18, with an application deadline of Dec. 2.

Immokalee, which was in Class 7A, made the move to independent just before the start of the season, leaving many schools scrambling to replace the Indians on their schedules.

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Smith rushed for 2,116 yards as a senior in the 1989 season and went on to play at Appalachian State. He still owns the school's single-game rushing record, 335 yards against Cocoa in that season. The single-season rushing mark is second in school history behind Pro Football Hall of Famer Edgerrin James.

Smith had been an assistant coach in Collier County, then went to Michigan and coached at high schools there for nine years before being named Immokalee's coach in January 2020.

Because of the pandemic, Smith did not get to do spring football practice and was not able to arrive in Southwest Florida until later in the summer. The Indians went winless but did win their spring game this past spring. Then some starters transferred, and the decision was made to go to independent.

Former star Rodelin Anthony was the head coach before Smith and resigned after four seasons as head coach.

"Immokalee High School, is looking for a dynamic leader to be our Head Football Coach," the advertisement reads. "Immokalee, located in Collier County, has a proud football tradition and wonderful community support. We are looking for a Coach that will be able to implement a successful year-round program with a solid offseason program. Head Coach experience or Coordinator experience is preferred but not required. We are looking for the best possible fit for our Program and Community."

The advertisement says interviews will be conducted in the second week of December.

"There will be a search committee which will include the Immokalee High principal, Immokalee High activities coordinator, community partners, and current coaches," wrote Calderon, who reiterated what she had said before the season, that the football program would return to its former FHSAA status.

Calderon said as far as getting a replacement started, the school would work with whomever is offered the job, but that preferably by January.

Immokalee is the third-largest school in Collier County with 1,968 students, including 1,030 males. The Indians moved to 7A for the 2021 season, up from 6A the past two years.

Greg Hardwig is a sports reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @NDN_Ghardwig, email him at ghardwig@naplesnews.com. Support local journalism with this special subscription offer at https://cm.naplesnews.com/specialoffer/

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Immokalee searching for new football coach after Johnny Smith let go