Former Florida high school football coach exploring legal options as to his firing

When beloved then-Union County High School head football coach Andrew Thomas was dismissed from his position back in early June, it came with great surprise to everyone in the Lake Butler community. Now, Thomas is looking to explore his options regarding his head-scratching removal.

According to a WCJB TV20 report, the former Florida high school coach is researching legal options into his termination as the Fighting Tigers’ head football coach.

Union County Superintendent Mike Ripplinger was asked by TV20 to provide reasoning regarding Thomas’ firing, with the district official citing parent complaints being the primary culprit behind the former Florida coach’s dismissal.

Per the report, TV20 put in a public records request to Union County, but no documentation was filed regarding parent complaints prior to Thomas’ firing.

The report went on to say that Thomas believes he was fired because Ripplinger just personally doesn’t like him.

During his time as Union County head coach, Thomas had finished with a 46-14 record and reached the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state semifinals in 2022 and 2024. Thomas before landing at Union County, led Trenton to multiple state titles in 2013, 2015.

After Thomas was removed as football coach, five assistants handed in their resignations as coaches came to the support of the former Union County lead man.

The loss of the former Florida high school head coach and assistants weren’t the only blows dealt in the aftermath, as key players have begun to exit Union County as well.

According to the Gainesville Sun’s Noah Ram, junior Drew Simmons, who rushed for 1,444 yards as a sophomore and was the team’s top running back in 2024, has already transferred to Lake City Columbia High School.

Thomas posted onto Facebook after his firing a heartfelt message to the Lake Butler community:

‘I’m going to make this statement for now but plenty more details will come when the time is right. But, I wanted to express this first:

I LOVE Union County!! One thing for sure, WHO and the amount of people that have reached out to me the past 2 days tells me all I need to know and gives me comfort that God has a plan!

I was drawn to coach in Union County because of its history for loving and supporting their football teams. And Union County did not disappoint. They did support and still are very supportive of the football team, my staff, my family and myself. No matter what the future holds for my family and I, Union County will always be very special to me.

So y’all are aware I’ve had nothing but FULL support from the School Board and Boosters through this! I know alot are thinking what did he do?? Nothing, not to deserve this, will elaborate at later time.

While I gave this program my heart it would not have been this successful without the help of my wife (Angel) and children. Some are aware but obviously some aren’t that know how much time and effort and LOVE my wife and family has put into the background of this program!

I have also have been very fortunate to have a wonderful coaching staff throughout the 5 yrs thats changed yr to yr, diff guys that have bought into our CULTURE and some have went on to better themselves as professionals and new guys that have come in and LOVED and built on what we’ve done the last 5 yrs! They have worked far beyond the hours of their paycheck!

Football is a Tough Sport, played by Tough Men! And our job is to turn boys into Men and its harder and harder is this day in age but im so thankful to coach the student athletes I got to here and very proud of the guys that bought into this program the last 5 yrs! Without them and their true commitment and Buy In then we dont have what weve had!

I will end this statement with this:

Best 5 yr run in Union Co in 30 yrs!

We’ve won 10 playoff games in 5 yrs, equal to the previous 16 seasons combined! 46 wins!

Beat Mad Co and Columbia for first time!

3rd or 4th round playoffs every yr!

2 State Semis/Final Fours

Facilities upgrade:

New Jumbotron

New Legacy Lockeroom Lockers and floors, fieldhouse upgrades everywhere,

In process of total renovations inside the fieldhouse !

Probably most importantly 16 of our kids that we have sent on to the next level for opportunities to play in college!

Apparently this CULTURE of success has been challenged and questioned but I’m Dang Sure proud of it!!’