Florida high school coach suspended following arrest

It’s been a chaotic last few weeks for high school football head coaches across the state of Florida and on Wednesday, it took another turn in the wrong direction. According to a report by the Fort Myers News-Press’ Dan DeLuca, North Fort Myers head football coach Ira Riggins Jr. has been suspended by the Lee County School District after the Knights’ lead man was arrested for misdemeanor battery this past weekend on Saturday.

Riggins Jr. was named the Knights 14th head coach in program history less than two months ago.

Per DeLuca’s report, Riggins had got into a physical altercation with his girlfriend over alleged infidelity in the relationship. The report said that Riggins had received a call from his girlfriend’s phone and he was speaking to a man as she was out with friends drinking.

Once Riggins’ girlfriend arrived home, the report says that she punched him in the face and in turn had him push her to the ground in response as self-defense. She then called Cape Coral police.

The Knights, the alma mater for Colorado head coach Deion Sanders and former West Virginia star Noel Devine, have fallen on hard times over the last few seasons. David Pasquale stepped down after the 2024 season after two years at the helm, posting a 9-12 record overall.

Last season, North Fort Myers reached the FHSAA’s Class 5A playoffs and fell against upstart Riverdale, 34-14, in the region quarterfinal round. The Knights finished the 2024 season with a 6-5 record.

North Fort Myers is scheduled to open its regular season on Friday, Aug. 22 at home against Cape Coral.