Vernon (Fla.) head coach resigns weeks before the start of practice

With just three weeks before Florida high school football teams are officially allowed to hit the practice fields, one Sunshine State program is suddenly faced with replacing its head coach. According to a WMBB report, David Hedges resigned Tuesday at Vernon High School in order to accept a position at Emerald Coast Middle School in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.

Hedges was named the Yellow Jackets’ head coach in February after leading Pine Creek High School (Colo.) to a 7-4 record in his first and only season in Colorado Springs. He spent the previous nine years with the Niceville High School football team where he served first as the program’s offensive line coach and later as its offensive coordinator.

The former South Dakota offensive lineman has not yet commented on his sudden departure, but he showed no signs of hesitation when first introduced to the community earlier this year.

“Belief. It’s about believing in each other, believing in the process and continuing to grow as a team,” Hedges told the Northwest Florida Daily News. “Vernon has been historically competitive in (the rural class). They’ve just had a down period. My job is to get us back by doing things right and making sure everyone’s contributing and believing and committing to the process.”

That commitment to process apparently lasted 152 days.

Washington County School District Superintendent Thomas Register confirmed the resignation to WMBB. He noted that Vernon still plans on fielding a football team for the 2025 campaign, which was already a concern due to low participation numbers. Register said the hope is to have a new head coach in place by July 14, but for now the team’s defensive coordinator will serve as interim head coach.

About the Vernon Yellow Jackets

This sudden coaching transition is the latest in a string of disappointments for the Yellow Jackets. Hedges was hired to replace Loren Tillman, whose contract was not renewed after a disappointing 2-8 record in 2024. Excluding the 2020 COVID year, Vernon hasn’t recorded a winning season since its 2019 team went 8-4.

The Yellow Jackets compete in the Rural Division, which is the smallest classification of Florida high school football. Vernon’s total student-body enrollment was 327 in 2024-25, down from 390 in 2021-22.

Whoever replaces Hedges as head coach will benefit from a somewhat manageable start. Vernon is set to open the season with four of its first five games at home, including the opener against the Baker Gators on Aug. 22.