In a surprise Thursday afternoon, Apopka High football coach Jeff Rolson stepped down.

The school announced the “surprise” move on X.com and Rolson confirmed this decision to the Sentinel.

“It’s just time,” Rolson said. “The landscape has changed a little bit and I don’t know that my style is conducive all the time to today’s athletes. I am a little bit old-school.

”With the ability for kids to just jump around and go places. It’s just not for me right now. It’s not the same fit as it was.”

Rolson pointed out the change in the landscape of high school football, in particular legislation in 2016 that allowed statewide open transferring. He said that played a big part in his decision.

“We’re losing 20 kids off the roster this year who are going off to wherever they’re going,” Rolson said. “A lot of people are telling kids they’ll get more [scholarship] offers if they go here or go there. That’s just how it is now.”

Further change in the sport happened with last year’s FHSAA ruling to allow NIL deals for high school athletes. Rolson said that had yet to interfere with any of his athletes.

“I love Apopka, I wish them the best and I will be there to support them in any way I can,” Rolson said.

Rolson, who has been at Apopka for three different stints during his career, was head coach for the past six seasons, going 55-18.

Rolson led Apopka to Class 7A state runner-up finishes in 2019, 2021 and 2022. The Darters were semifinalists in 2020.

He has been a head coach in the state of Florida for 12 seasons, including stints with a 37-14 record at Kissimmee Osceola (2006-09) and a 6-14 record at Panama City Rutherford (2010-11). His 2007 Osceola team was a state runner-up.

During his other stops at Apopka, Rolson was an assistant coach in 2012-16, and defensive coordinator in 1999-2002.

“I’m not going to say I won’t coach again, but not at this time,” Rolson said. “No one forced me to step down. It’s just the right thing to do right now for the kids and for the program.

”I’m not going anywhere. I don’t have a job lined up. There’s no bombshell, no health issues. It’s just time.”

Before coming to Apopka in 1999, Rolson coached in Illinois and Missouri. He grew up in Farmer City, Illinois, and played collegiately at Eastern Illinois.

Rolson played with Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who was a quarterback at Eastern. Rolson was an All-Gateway Conference and All-American defensive tackle in college.

Originally Published: May 29, 2025 at 8:36 PM EDT