Ian Scott Steps Down After Final Spring Game at Gainesville High
Citizens Field hosted a spring game Tuesday that became the final game for former Florida Gators player and Gainesville coach Ian Scott.
One day later, Scott stepped down as Gainesville’s football coach after the Hurricanes defeated North Marion 21-14 in their spring game.
“I will be forever grateful to him for the job he has done here and for his impact on our athletic program and on our campus,” Gainesville athletic director Phillip Knight said Thursday.
Scott announced his departure Wednesday in a post published by Blast Athletics.“I want to inform you all that I have to step down as the head football coach,” he said. “My wife and I have reached an unsustainable financial situation and need to find jobs elsewhere. I am letting you know because I have had to inform the team so that the school can begin the process of finding a new coach.”
“Working with your students has been the honor of my life and this has been such a difficult decision to make. God bless you all.”
After a 2-8 season that left a lot on the table, the Hurricanes aimed to flush their recent memory and set a new tone in Tuesday’s Spring game.
After jumping out to a double-digit lead, the Hurricanes held on for the victory, however miscues were the story and showed areas Scott believed still needed improving heading into the fall.
Each game they lost last season was by 10 points or more; their last game of the season was a 63-0 loss to Eastside.
“You’ve got to be excellent in practice, you’ve got to be excellent in the classroom, you’ve got to be excellent when you walk to hallways, all those things matter,” Scott said Tuesday postgame.
Running back Samuel Warren fumbled twice but responded with two touchdowns for Gainesville.
“Being our first spring game in a long time, it was pretty nerve-racking,” Warren said.
Despite the turnovers, Warren said he was pleased with the way the team responded. “I wanted three, but I got two, which I’m okay with because it’s for the team,” Warren said postgame.
After Warren’s early fumble, Anthony Jenkins got the offense back on track with a red-zone touchdown catch for the game’s first score.
The Hurricane defense proved sturdy, with three-and-outs common throughout the first quarter aside from a broken play at the end of the first quarter.
“Defense played really well aside from that one broken play, so if you can get that kind of effort, you’ll be successful,” Scott said.
North Marion had one final opportunity late in the fourth quarter after forcing a turnover, but Gainesville sealed the win when the Colts failed to complete a fade pass in the end zone on the final drive.
Gainesville High will now begin its search for a new football coach following Scott’s departure.
Category: Football, Gainesville, Gainesville High School
