Eustis High has dismissed football coach Darnell Harrison just three days after the season opener of his second season at the school, assistant athletic director Matt Burgess confirmed via text late Tuesday night.
Harrison was informed of the school’s decision Monday. The Panthers lost at East Ridge 35-0 on Friday night.
Eustis was 1-9 in Harrison’s first season and the Panthers have lost five straight games dating back to last season.
Eustis has had some coaching turmoil since former head coach Frank Scott stepped down to take the Leesburg job last year. Former Eustis and UCF star Joe Burnett was hired to replace Scott in the spring of 2024, but Burnett stepped down before fall practice even started last year, citing personal reasons.
Harrison was hired two weeks into preseason practice a year ago.
Burnett told the Sentinel last August, “All is well, personal matter that led to the decision of stepping down. Tough decision, but a decision where my immediate family needed me.
“I will be back coaching sometime in my life. Unfortunately, the timing wasn’t right for me to step in and lead my alumni at EHS.”
Burnett is currently the athletic director for the Eustis Junior Panthers youth football program.
Scott stepped down as head coach at Leesburg after his first season there, and he is now the offensive coordinator at East Ridge. Leesburg was 6-5 last season.
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.
