Former Florida Gator QB Tapped as Island Coast High School Football Coach

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Justin Midgett, a former quarterback for the University of Florida Gators, has been announced as the new head football coach for Island Coast High School in Punta Gorda, Florida. Midgett was a standout quarterback in high school and played for the Gators in 2003 and 2004. He will now be tasked with turning around an Island Coast program that has struggled in recent years, having only finished above .500 once since 2014.

Why it matters

High school football coaching changes are always noteworthy, as they can have a significant impact on a program's trajectory. Midgett's background as a former Gators quarterback and his task of reviving a struggling Island Coast team make this a story of interest to Florida high school football fans.

The details

Midgett announced his new role as Island Coast's head coach via a social media post. During his high school days, he was ranked as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation and earned a Class 4A first-team all-state selection. In his senior season at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Midgett threw for 2,489 yards and 21 touchdowns, leading the Fighting Tarpons to the state semifinals. He then played as a redshirt quarterback for the University of Florida in 2003 and 2004. Island Coast has struggled in recent years, finishing above .500 only once since 2014 and ending the 2025 season with a 1-9 record.

• On February 20, 2026, Midgett announced he had accepted the head coaching position at Island Coast High School.
• Midgett was a standout quarterback at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Florida in 2001 and 2002.
• Midgett played as a redshirt quarterback for the University of Florida in 2003 and 2004.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Midgett will now begin the process of assembling his coaching staff and implementing his vision for the Island Coast football program as he looks to turn the team around.