Florida high school football coaching updates: Eric Lodge leaving Sanford Seminole for Berkeley (SC)

When it comes to high school football around the Sunshine State, it’s unique compared to the other 49 around the country. It’s become a 365 days a year sport in terms of training filled with a lot of transition when it comes to head coaching positions.

This off-season has seen a major overhaul when it comes to head coaches around the state. Here is a look at some of the changes around Florida.

Eric Lodge leaving Sanford Seminole for new head coaching gig at Berkeley (Moncks Corner, South Carolina) 

Sanford Seminole is losing a head coach that led them to the Class 8A state championship game just under three years ago. 

Eric Lodge has been selected to become the next head football coach at Berkeley (SC), according to Prep Redzone’s Chris Dearing. Lodge compiled an overall record of 32-5 over three seasons with the Seminoles, including winning the Class 8A title in 2020. 

This past season was somewhat trying for Lodge and Sanford Seminole as they battled to work without quarterback Luke Rucker for most of the season due to injury. The Seminoles’ season ended in the Class 4M region semifinals in a 12-8 loss to Lake Mary. 

The Stags finished this past season with an overall record of 3-9, qualifying for the AAAAA, Region 6 playoffs before losing to Fort Dorchester 46-0. 

Aaron Sheppard steps down at Ocoee 

After five seasons with the Knights, Sheppard is deciding it’s time to step away. 

Sheppard announced via Twitter on Thursday afternoon that he was stepping away as the head football coach at Ocoee. The Knights finished 9-5 this past 2022 campaign. 

Sheppard through his five seasons as the Knights head coach finished with an overall record of 31-25 and the best season coming last fall. Ocoee reached the Class 4M state semifinals and ended up losing in a heartbreaking 41-36 loss. 

Flagler Palm Coast looking for second head coach in three years as Robert Paxia steps down

When Robert Paxia left Lake Gibson to be the lead man for Flagler Palm Coast, it looked like a potential long term pairing. 

On Wednesday, Paxia ended his two-year stay with the Bulldogs. The head coach announced via Twitter that he would be stepping down as the program’s head coach. 

The school will now be in search of its second head coach in the last three years. Paxia went 10-11 and won a district championship in his two seasons. 

“To the Bulldog Community,

Two years ago my family and I made the decision to return to FPC from Lake Gibson. It has been a great and wonderful journey. We were able to accomplish many things in this two year period like winning the 4th district title in the history of our school. I would like to thank everyone for the support in the past two years and it is very clear FPC is on track to continue being very successful. Today I am stepping down as the Head Football Coach but I will always be a Bulldog!” - Robert Paxia via Twitter 

Chris Dent steps down at Port St. Lucie 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.