Pinellas Park Hires Former Duke OL Standout as Head Football Coach

Takoby Cofield takes over a Patriots program looking to return to prominence.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 4:15pm

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Pinellas Park High School in Florida has hired former Duke offensive lineman Takoby Cofield as their new head football coach. Cofield, who started 42 consecutive games for the Blue Devils from 2011-2014, replaces Max Smith, who led the Patriots for the past four seasons.

Why it matters

Pinellas Park is looking to revive its high school football program, which has struggled in recent years. Cofield, a decorated offensive lineman in college, brings a new energy and perspective that the Patriots hope will help them become one of the top teams in Pinellas County again.

The details

Cofield announced the news on social media, saying "Patriot nation I'm home! Excited to be the new HC." He takes over a Patriots team that finished the 2025 season ranked 229th in the state. The last time Pinellas Park won 10 or more games in a season was 2018 under then-head coach Kenny Crawford.

  • Cofield played for Duke from 2011-2014.
  • Cofield was named third-team All-ACC in his senior season.
  • Max Smith was the Patriots' head coach from 2022-2025.

The players

Takoby Cofield

A former standout offensive lineman at Duke University, where he started 42 consecutive games from 2011-2014 and was named third-team All-ACC in his senior season.

Max Smith

The previous head coach of the Pinellas Park Patriots, leading the team from 2022-2025.

Kenny Crawford

The head coach of the Pinellas Park Patriots in 2018, the last time the team won 10 or more games in a season.

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What they’re saying

“Patriot nation I'm home! Excited to be the new HC.”

— Takoby Cofield

What’s next

Cofield will look to quickly implement his coaching philosophy and strategies as he aims to turn the Patriots into a contender in Pinellas County high school football.

The takeaway

Pinellas Park's hiring of former Duke standout Takoby Cofield as their new head football coach signals the program's desire to return to prominence in the local high school football landscape.