Palm Beach Gardens football coach Rob Freeman has been let go after five seasons, the school confirmed Thursday.
Palm Beach Gardens football coach Rob Freeman (center) was let go Thursday after five seasons with the Gators. (2015 Post file photo)
Freeman, who finished 5-6 this season and 35-23 overall, served as offensive and defensive coordinator with the Gators before being named head coach in 2012.
He has taught at the school for 18 years, and will remain a physical education instructor there.
“Palm Beach Gardens High School has decided to make a change in the position of head football coach,” the school said in a statement.
“The administration is extremely thankful for everything Coach Freeman has added to Palm Beach Gardens High School over the years in his various positions with the school.”
Freeman’s teams were successful during his tenure, winning three district championships and making the playoffs in each of his five seasons.
Freeman’s best season was in 2013, when the Gators finished 9-5 and advanced to the Class 8A state semifinals. Palm Beach Gardens lost 37-10 on the road to Homestead-South Dade, which went on to win the state title.
This season was a challenge for Palm Beach Gardens, which dropped three of its first five games and then had to deal with distractions involving star linebacker VanDarius Cowan, who was benched during a game against Wellington Oct. 20 and removed from the team three days later.
But the Gators beat Palm Beach Central the following week to clinch the District 9-8A runner spot, and then upset unbeaten Park Vista in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Atlantic in the regional semifinals.
Freeman said he was informed of the decision during a meeting Thursday afternoon with the school’s athletic director and principal.
“I was called in today, and they wanted to move in another direction,” he said. “I didn’t ask for clarification. It is what it is.”
Freeman’s players praised their former coach Thursday.
“I’ve been around Coach Freeman for four years,” senior running back Dennis Hubbard said. “He helped me progress and better my game every year. I appreciate everything Coach Freeman did for me. If he saw talent in you, you’ll be on that field playing. Great job, Coach Freeman.”
“I didn’t know him very long, but he taught me many things when I was at Palm Beach Gardens,” said senior quarterback Eli Mathews, who transferred from Dwyer following the 2015 season. “He is a hard- working man, and very diligent at everything he does.”
Palm Beach Gardens athletic director Bill Weed said a coaching search would begin after the holiday break.
