Hilliard football head coach John Pate relieved of duties; petition formed to reverse decision

Former Hilliard head football coach John Pate was reportedly relieved of his coaching duties Friday, Feb. 25.

According to Pate, he received the news in a meeting with Hilliard’s principal, assistant principal, and athletic director, but didn’t reveal it until Monday, Feb. 28, after holding a meeting with his players.

"Going back to the old Star Wars movies when one of those guys sensed a tremor in the Force, I sensed something over the last couple of weeks in regards to working with the principal and athletic director that something wasn't right," Pate said on if he had any indication that he'd be relive from his coaching duties.

Vote now: Northeast Florida high school Athlete of the Week, February 28-March 5

Wrestling champs: Clay, Orange Park, Ponte Vedra wrestlers win 2022 FHSAA championships

Flag football: Opening the door: Jaguars open facilities to host girls flag football tournament for local teams

Pate was 27-15 in his four years with the Red Flashes and has reached the playoffs in each of the last three seasons. When Pate took over the program in 2018, they only had 17 players on their roster. According to MaxPreps, they had 49 varsity players during the 2021 season.

Pate was voted as the District 5-1A Coach of the Year for three consecutive seasons. The Red Flashes had won 21 out of their last 25 games.

“Looking at that I was shocked,” Pate said via phone interview. “To hear the modern age, I want to go in a different direction without clarifications or specifics. That doesn’t rest well with me.”

In an email on Wednesday from Hilliard's athletic director Jason Collins, he said: "HMSHS appreciates Coach Pate’s contributions in reviving our football program. Coach’s plan was to create a winning culture, develop long-term sustainability, and groom rising coaches, all of which he has accomplished. As we follow his original plan, the health of the program and our team’s success remain our top priority."

The news of Pate being released from his coaching role sparked several responses from Hilliard’s supporters and community. A change.org petition has been created for people to voice their opinions with the overwhelming majority opposed to the decision.

More than 1,650 people have signed the petition since it started — many leaving messages of support for the coach.

Pate has kept his teaching role with the school. He is teaching four classes, three government and economy classes and a sixth-grade world history class according to him.

“I have to come in here and do my job and teach these kids and hope and pray that there will be a change in the policy,” Pate added. “It does make me feel good that people are wanting to fight for me because they appreciate what we’ve done and maybe who I am.”

This story was updated on March 9 at 2:1 p.m.

Juston Lewis is a sports reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @JustonLewis_.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Hilliard football coach John Pate was relieved of his coaching role