Lely Fires New Coach

Just three games into the Dan Nieboer era, Lely High School has pulled the plug on their new head coach.

Nieboer took over for Ben Hammer, who was fired after leading the program to back to back district titles and regional semifinal apprearances. Hammer’s dismissal was explained as “We will be moving in a different direction regarding the head football coach position here at Lely.” Nieboer’s dismissal appears equally vague. Lely parents were informed in a letter from Lely principal Jennifer Bledsoe that “After careful consideration, a decision has been made to pursue a change in direction for the head football coach position.”

Nieboer faced mass player and coach defections after implementing a strict disciplinarian approach, including a zero-profanity stance that included exercise penalties for each letter in the profanity. Nieboer also introduced penalties for dress code violations. At least 20 players transferred and Nieboer was left with a small squad of mostly freshman and sophomore players. He was left with a coaching staff of two, one of which did not have a football background.

Lely lost its first three games by a combined score of 166-0. Friday’s 63-0 loss to Naples in the annual Coconut Bowl was Nieboer’s final game. Carlos Cornelio, who coached defense for both Hammer and Nieboer, and Kit Fowler, Lely’s baseball coach, will take over as co-head coaches. The Trojans have a bye week and return to action on Sept. 18 when they travel to play Barron Collier at 7:30 p.m.