27-Year-Old Hired to Coach Florida High School Football Team

Dr. Phillips High School promotes longtime assistant Caleb Walls to head coach role.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Florida has hired 27-year-old Caleb Walls as their new head football coach. Walls has been an assistant coach with the Panthers for the past three seasons and is taking over for longtime head coach Rodney Wells, who recently stepped down after 15 years leading the program.

Why it matters

The hiring of the young Walls as head coach is an unusual move for a high-profile high school football program like Dr. Phillips, which has had great success under Wells. The decision to promote from within and entrust the program to someone so young speaks to Walls' potential and the school' belief in his abilities to continue the Panthers' winning tradition.

The details

Walls was previously a wide receivers coach for the Panthers and played for the team when he was in high school under Wells. Despite his youth, the school decided to stay within the program and promote Walls to the head coaching role. The Panthers went 9-4 last season and finished ranked 76th in the state.

  • Walls was hired as the new head football coach in February 2026.
  • Rodney Wells stepped down as head coach of the Dr. Phillips football team earlier this month after 15 seasons leading the program.

The players

Caleb Walls

A 27-year-old who has been an assistant coach with the Dr. Phillips High School football team for the past three seasons. He was recently promoted to become the new head coach of the program.

Rodney Wells

The former longtime head football coach at Dr. Phillips High School, leading the Panthers' program for 15 seasons and compiling a 136-50 record before stepping down earlier this month.

Dr. Phillips High School

A high school located in Orlando, Florida that is renowned for both its academic excellence and strong athletics programs, particularly in football and basketball.

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What they’re saying

“It's truly a blessing. Nine years ago or whatever it was, when I was playing for coach Wells, I always wanted to be like him and for this opportunity to be presented it is nothing short of a blessing.”

— Caleb Walls, New Head Football Coach (Orlando Sentinel)

What’s next

The school and community will be closely watching to see how Walls performs in his first season as head coach, as he looks to continue the Panthers' winning tradition.

The takeaway

The hiring of the 27-year-old Caleb Walls as head football coach at Dr. Phillips High School is an unusual move, but one that speaks to the school' belief in his potential and ability to lead the program. This decision highlights the importance of developing young coaching talent and providing opportunities for up-and-coming leaders, even at high-profile high school sports programs.