Lely High School head football coach Dan Nieboer has been dismissed after a winless 0-3 start to the season, according to a confirmation from Collier County Public Schools spokesperson Chad Oliver to USA TODAY Sports. Hired in March to lead the Southwest Florida program after leaving Jason Witten’s Liberty Christian squad in Texas, Nieboer oversaw a varsity team that has been outscored 166-0 through games against Gulf Coast, Immokalee, and Naples.
Leadership Changes and Interim Coaching Staff
Following the departure, school administration named assistant coach Carlos Cornelio and physical education teacher Kit Fowler—who also serves as the school’s varsity baseball coach—as co-interim head coaches for the remainder of the 2026 season. Lely principal Jennifer Bledsoe announced in a letter to football families that another national search will take place. According to Oliver, Nieboer remains employed by the school district.
“After careful consideration, a decision has been made to pursue a change in direction for the head football coach position,” Bledsoe wrote in the letter. “Our building administration, including our school’s Activities Coordinator, worked closely with Coach Nieboer to establish a plan focused on player development and the overall operation of the program. Ultimately, we determined that a leadership change was necessary to best support the future success of our students and program as a whole.”
Roster Turnover Following the Hiring
The transition follows a turbulent offseason for the Trojans. Following Nieboer’s hiring, the program experienced a mass exodus of players who transferred out to neighboring high schools. The on-field struggles contrast sharply with the team’s performance during the previous year.
Under former head coach Ben Hammer, Lely compiled an 8-4 record in 2025, reaching the regional semifinals before losing to Miami Central. After three seasons, the school parted ways with Hammer, whose tenure produced a 20-14 record, two playoff appearances, and an offense that averaged 471.2 yards and 45 points per game in his final year.
Looking Ahead at the National Search
School officials stated that the upcoming national search will emphasize core values centered on player development, student-athlete growth, and a positive team culture. The interim coaching staff will manage day-to-day operations while administration begins evaluating candidates.
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