Island Coast, Gateway, Lehigh have new athletic directors; Gators hire football coach
Changes are underway at several Lee County high school athletic departments.
Michael Dubbelde stepped down from his post as the athletic director at Island Coast to assume the same role at Gateway High School. He has been replaced by Frank Simms.
Simms has taught science in Lee County for eight years, including the last four at Island Coast. He has a degree in applied physiology and kinesiology.
"I'm thankful that (Dr. Cort-Mora) and the rest of the administrative staff saw something in me that they liked," Simms said.
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It was Simms' love of sports and hope to instill in Island Coast student-athletes that education is just as important that led him to seek out the job.
The Gators are coming off a strong athletic season, particularly the baseball team that won the first state championship in Lee County history this spring.
"I want to make it a top program here in Southwest Florida," Simms said. "I just want to keep moving those successes forward."
Part of that was locking down a new head football coach.
Elgin Hicks stepped down this spring after two years leading the Gators. Chris Burnett, who served as head coach in the interim, was officially hired to replace Hicks.
"It's honestly surreal," said Burnett, 29, who will be in his first head coaching role in football. He is the youngest head football coach in Lee County — but not far off from East Lee's Herbans Paul who is 30.
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Burnett believes Southwest Florida is a great area for young coaches.
"If you want to coach, I think now is the time to start young and keep at it," he said.
Burnett served as an assistant coach under Hicks the last two seasons and was also the head track and field coach.
"I'm not a new face there, so it just makes it easier," Burnett said.
A Charlotte High graduate and Division-III college player, Burnett described himself as a longtime student of the game.
The Gators’ previous season (2-8) was a setback after reaching and winning a game in the playoffs in Hicks' first year.
Burnett is looking to build up the culture of the program, motivated in part by the team returning 19 seniors in the fall.
"With 19 seniors, any program is excited," he said. "I'm super excited. I can't wait to see what our guys got."
Ernesto Adamo, a teacher at Lehigh for the past five years, was hired to replace Greg Coleman as athletic director. Coleman left after seven years at Lehigh to become athletic director at Bishop Verot.
"It was clear in his interview that he had a vision to make improvements and lead us to the next level," Lehigh Principal Jackie Corey said in an announcement. "I am confident he will support us and make the Lehigh Family systems even stronger. We congratulate and welcome Mr. Adamo to his new position in leadership."
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Adamo, a FGCU graduate, was interested in the position after having been involved in athletics at the school.
"Feeling really good about it," he said. "Really excited to get started."
In the 2021-22 school year, the Lightning had especially strong seasons in football and track and field.
"Our athletic program, I believe right now, is the best it's been the last five years," he said, adding that he is interested in making the position his own.
Part of that will be improving communication with coaches, staff and the Lehigh community as well as looking for sponsorship opportunities, according to Adamo.
"I'm looking forward to the new experience," he said.
Follow News-Press Sports Reporter Dustin Levy on Twitter: @DustinBLevy. For additional coverage of sports across Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: AD changes at Island Coast, Gateway, Lehigh; Gators hire football coach
