Meet every new Jacksonville high school football coach for 2024 FHSAA season

It’s been another busy offseason for the coaching carousel in Florida high school football.

Jacksonville high school football added more than a dozen new coaches, with 15 changes in all, ahead of the 2024 season. That includes a pair of state champion coaches (David Boylston and Bobby Ramsay) taking over in new places this year, plus coaches at new programs making their 11-man debuts.

Following the July 29 opening of spring practice, the first on-field test for most will come Aug. 16 in the kickoff classics, then the Week 1 round on Aug. 23.

Here’s what you need to know about Northeast Florida coaching moves for the FHSAA high school football season.

Baldwin: Donald Velvet

A familiar face: The former defensive coordinator moves up to the head coaching role for Baldwin. The school has qualified for FHSAA regionals for six consecutive years, the last five under former coach Robert Shields. Baldwin finished 5-6 in 2023.

Cornerstone Classical: Blake Barnes

A former player of the year in Mississippi who signed as a quarterback at Georgia, Barnes leads a Spartans team that is planning an 11-man debut this year.

Duval Charter: Aaron Beasley

The former Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback leads Duval Charter in the Panthers’ second season since returning to the 11-man game. Beasley is a familiar name on the First Coast: He played nine NFL seasons with the Jaguars, Jets and Falcons, including a six-year stint in the Jags’ secondary from 1996-2001. Duval Charter finished 1-7 last fall.

Eagle’s View: R.J. Boyd

The newest head coach in Jacksonville, Boyd took over at Eagle’s View during the summer after Frank Andrea stepped down and moved to the Old Plank Christian staff. Boyd previously worked as an offensive assistant at perennial playoff qualifier University Christian. Eagle’s View went 4-6 in 2023.

Fernandina Beach: Blake Willis

The former defensive coordinator took over as head coach in April, after Apollo Wright returned to college football coaching. Willis graduated from Fernandina Beach, playing center and linebacker on his way to NCAA football at Jacksonville University. The Pirates, 3-7 last year, are moving to the Sunshine State Athletic Association.

Harvest Community: David Boylston

A former state champion coach in Georgia while in charge of St. Andrews in the Savannah area, Boylston takes over the Warriors following the tenure of Nathaniel Whitehead. Harvest went 3-7 last season.

Hilliard: Matt Yancey

Yancey becomes the Red Flashes’ fourth head coach in four seasons, following John Pate (2021), Waylon Cox (2022) and Daniel Thomas (2023). He previously coached at Pine Ridge and Interlachen, and had most recently been on the staff at Branford. Hilliard is coming off a 3-8 year.

Impact Christian: Jerrand Nesmith

A former assistant at the school, Nesmith takes over the Lions after Bobby Ramsay moved back to public school football with Jackson. He initially served as interim coach before receiving the full title. Impact finished 7-3 as an independent in 2023.

Jackson: Bobby Ramsay

A big-name hire for the Tigers. Ramsay, who moves back into public school coaching after two seasons at Impact, led Mandarin to its first-ever state championship in 2018 in Class 8A with Mr. Football Carson Beck, and also reached a state semifinal at Yulee in 2012 with all-time national rushing king Derrick Henry. Last year, Jackson finished 3-8 and qualified for the Class 2M playoffs under Darryl Bartley.

KIPP Bold City: D’Angelo Jordan

Jordan is the inaugural 11-man head coach for the Greyhounds as the charter school steps up into district competition.

Old Plank Christian: Caleb Davis

Like KIPP Bold City, Old Plank Christian is also new to the 11-man game. The Defenders played last year at 8-man. Davis also serves as athletic director at the Westside school.

Ribault: Michael Hunter

A veteran coach on the line, Hunter was hired during the spring to lead a Trojans team that will be playing its entire schedule away from home as the campus begins the second year of a near-total reconstruction. He takes over after Ram Pinckney’s two-year tenure. Hunter previously coached Duval Charter from 2012-14, compiling a 16-9 record and qualifying for the Class 2A playoffs in 2014. Ribault finished at 4-6 in 2023.

Ridgeview: Merlin Smith

Formerly head coach at Oakleaf Junior High School, Smith was hired by Ridgeview in December following the three-year tenure of Bryan Arnette. Smith previously coached at St. Johns Country Day between 2009 and 2011, recording a mark of 9-21 in three seasons. Ridgeview has finished 1-9 in three straight years.

Sandalwood: Brad Kessel

Kessel, who compiled a 1-4 record in interim duty with Ponte Vedra in 2020, moves to his first full-time head coaching job after previously leading Nease’s defense. He takes over from Adam Geis, the all-time victories leader at Sandalwood who stepped down after coaching the Saints for 21 of the last 22 years and qualifying for the regional playoffs nine times. Sandalwood finished 0-10 last season.

Stanton: Ryan Carter

A Stanton graduate who played in the secondary for the Blue Devils and later for LaGrange College in Georgia, Carter was hired in January to replace the retiring Mike Healey. He previously served on the staff of state finalist Mandarin. Stanton football last finished above .500 in 2017 and has never qualified for an FHSAA regional playoff…