Legendary St. Johns Country Day Girls Soccer Coach Mike Pickett Steps Down

Pickett leaves as one of the most successful high school coaches in history after nearly three decades of dominance.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:19pm

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Mike Pickett, the legendary girls soccer coach at St. Johns Country Day School in Jacksonville, Florida, has stepped down after 28 seasons at the helm. During his tenure, Pickett led the Spartans to an astonishing 571-72-41 record and 15 state championships, including 11 consecutive titles, a nearly unmatched feat in high school sports.

Why it matters

Pickett's resignation marks the end of an era for one of the most dominant high school sports dynasties in recent memory. His departure will have a significant impact on the school's soccer program and the local community, as he has been a fixture for nearly three decades.

The details

Pickett, 61, cited the immense pressure and expectations on his players as the primary reason for his resignation. He felt that anything less than a championship was seen as a disappointment, which he believed was unfair to the student-athletes. Pickett wanted his players to enjoy the experience of playing soccer more than just focusing on the results.

  • Pickett has been the head coach of the St. Johns Country Day girls soccer team since 1998.
  • The Spartans won 15 state championships under Pickett's leadership, including 11 consecutive titles.
  • Pickett's final season as head coach was the 2025-2026 school year, where the Spartans reached the Class 1A state semifinals before losing 3-1 to Lakeland Victory Christian.

The players

Mike Pickett

The legendary head coach of the St. Johns Country Day girls soccer team, who led the Spartans to 15 state championships and a 571-72-41 record over 28 seasons.

Carlos Giron

The head coach of St. Thomas Aquinas, the only other coach in Florida history with 15 state championships, matching Pickett's record.

Carson Pickett

Pickett's daughter, who played for the Spartans and won multiple championships, and is now a professional defender in the NWSL with over 200 games played.

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What they’re saying

“I'm stepping down because there's too much pressure on these kids. We make a final four this year, we lose. All the questions after the game from the reporters are 'what happened.' That was shocking. And it's not fair to the kids. So as long as I'm coaching here, it's going to stay the same.”

— Mike Pickett, Head Coach, St. Johns Country Day Girls Soccer

“When I started getting texts after the loss to VCA this year, it was girls telling me that they let me down, they let the legacy down, they let the program down, and that's not the case. It's a soccer game, and we didn't win. That's all it is.”

— Mike Pickett, Head Coach, St. Johns Country Day Girls Soccer

What’s next

Pickett said he will continue to coach and teach at his North Florida Soccer Academy, but the search is on for his successor to lead the St. Johns Country Day girls soccer program.

The takeaway

Pickett's resignation marks the end of an unparalleled high school coaching career, as he built St. Johns Country Day into one of the most dominant girls soccer programs in the country. His decision to step down reflects his desire to protect his players from the immense pressure and expectations that come with leading such a successful team.