- January 21, 2025
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Flagler Palm Coast High School has relieved head football coach Daniel Fish of his coaching duties two months after the Bulldogs compiled a record of 9-2 and advanced to the state playoffs.
Flagler Schools released a statement Tuesday morning regarding the decision without an explanation as to why he was dismissed as the team's coach.
"Administration met with Mr. Fish earlier this morning regarding his current status. At this time, he is no longer the head coach of the Flagler Palm Coast High School football program. However, he remains a certified educator within Flagler Schools," the statement read.
In a text to the Observer Tuesday morning, Fish said, "I was never given an explantation as to why I'm not the head football coach anymore and I was reassigned as a teacher."
FPC Principal Bobby Bossardet has not responded to a phone call or text from the Observer.
In response to a public records request from the Observer regarding Fish's status as FPC's football coach, Flagler Schools said in an email that "the documents that you have requested were created in furtherance of an ongoing investigation, and are currently confidential and exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Act pursuant to Section 119.071(2)."
Fish said in a text that the football program is not under investigation.
A small group of football players and parents stood along State Road 100 after school with signs protesting Fish's dismissal. One sign said, "Our coach our mentor our choice." Another said, "We want transparency," while a third said "Bring back Fish."
One parent at the protest who did not want her name used, said, "The boys had concerns of why their coach was removed. These kids really do love their coach. He's an important part of their life. Nobody said anything to them. Obviously, he could still teach children, so it's not too egregious."
Flagler Radio's Mike Lischio first broke the story on Friday, Jan. 17, that Fish was fired as the team's football coach. Fish texted Lischio and later the Daytona Beach News-Journal saying school administrators informed him that day that he will no longer be the coach. FPC released a statement later Friday saying, "School leadership is scheduled to meet with Coach Fish on Tuesday, January 21st. At this time, we are not at liberty to discuss the details of any decisions, or any future decisions, related to our football program until that meeting is held."
Fish coached the Bulldogs for two seasons. His squad went 3-7 his first season in 2023 and then had a breakout year this past season winning nine of 10 regular-season games and tying for the district championship. The Bulldogs lost their playoff game to Spruce Creek 36-35 after a down was errantly taken away by officials on their final drive.
“I'm so proud of this group,” he said after the loss. “I mean, it was an amazing turnaround. They established the culture and they made history this year. And I just hate that they had to go out that way."
Email Brent Woronoff at brent@observerlocalnews-com
