Wins have been tough to come by for the Santa Fe (Alachua) football program.
The Raiders, who have lost 21 games in a row, haven’t won a game since a lone 14-7 victory at home against GHS on Sept. 23, 2022. They are 0-6 this season and were 0-10 last year.
They were also 0-9 in 2021.
This past spring the Raiders hired Jason Wells as their new head football coach with a new belief that Santa Fe could turn things around.
Now, just six months later, Santa Fe is looking for a new leader.
Santa Fe Football announced a coaching change on its Facebook page, noting that Wells informed administration on Tuesday morning of his intentions to go back into the sales field because teaching was not meeting his family’s financial needs.
“A large part of the financial portion that was supposed to aid in my career change didn’t quite come to fruition and forced me to transition from the classroom back into my old career,” Wells said via text on Tuesday evening.
Wells, who took a significant pay cut to take the job, according to the Facebook post, informed his administration of his intentions not to return as head coach for next season.
“After walking in head coach shoes, I knew it was impossible for me to do the role justice while heading back into the sales world,” Wells said. “So, I expressed to administrators that I would like to finish out this season, but I would not be able to remain on for next year.”
According to the Facebook post, “his intentions were to finish the season, but as word got out the administration decided to go ahead and prepare for an interim to finish this season.”
“They decided that it may make it easier for me to just step away immediately,” Wells said. “I wished them and the boys all the best. I hope with the extra time they have an opportunity to land a great coach. I hope some of the adults around the program can also use this as a learning opportunity and make better on decisions and promises for the future.”
Wells left on good terms with the team and administrators and wishes the Santa Fe team and program lots of luck moving forward. It definitely wasn’t his plan or intention.
“I’m super thankful for the opportunity to come to Santa Fe,” Wells said. “I had hoped to settle in here and make this home for me and my family and build a program for my son to play in and my daughter to cheer for. I hate that it came to a screeching halt a mere five months in.”
According to Santa Fe Athletic Director Michele Faulk, the Raiders have found a replacement for Wells to finish the season.
“Coach Wells has decided to resign from his teaching position for personal reasons and Santa Fe High School wishes him the very best,” said Faulk. “Coach Tim Shankel has been named the interim head coach and he is excited and energized to step up to the helm and lead this team.”
Santa Fe has four more regular season games remaining, including this Friday’s Class 2A-District 5 home game against Keystone Heights.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with information from Santa Fe Athletic Director Michele Faulk.