Palmer leaving PSJ

PORT ST. JOE - At least John Palmer won't have to worry about changing his color scheme.

Palmer, who led the Port St. Joe Tiger Shark football teams the past seven years, on Monday formally accepted the head coaching job at Hernando High School. Palmer also will serve as athletic director and weightlifting coach, positions he held in Gulf County.

Palmer is a 1983 graduate of Hernando High School.

His father, Dub, who won five state titles at several schools and was inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame, was a coach at Hernando and athletic director while his son attended school.

Palmer was a multi-sport athlete for the Leopards, who like the Tiger Sharks sport purple and gold as their team colors.

Palmer's wife of 18 years, Amy, is from Chiefland, just north of Hernando County. The couple has one daughter, 12-year-old Morgan Lynn.

"Home, my alma mater," Palmer replied when asked his reasons for taking the Hernando job. "My mom is there, and that weighed heavily.

"We always tell our players your faith comes first, then your family and your schoolwork and then football. I felt like I needed to do something for my family."

Palmer, 42, was 57-27 at Port St. Joe. During the past four seasons the Tiger Sharks averaged 10 wins, including 2005 when Port St. Joe lost its opener by one point, then reeled off 13 straight wins to claim the Class 1A state championship.

In 13 seasons at three schools - Palmer also coached at Bronson and Eustis - his teams won three region titles - all in Port St. Joe - and appeared in the playoffs eight times. Palmer took Bronson to its first playoff appearance in school history.

"He is an outstanding football coach, an outstanding athletic director," said Port St. Joe High School principal Duane McFarland. "He has an excellent rapport with the teachers and the staff, with the community and with his players.

"He is a guy without ego. He is so down to earth, with a great sense of humor. I hate losing a dear friend, that's the worst part for me."

Palmer inherits a Class 3A program that produced only 13 wins during the past five years.

"The challenge is there, and that was another issue" that impacted his decision, Palmer said.

Mosley head coach Perry Brown was an assistant at Hernando in 1979 and 1980 when Palmer was a player. Brown coached under Dub Palmer.

"I've known John a long time," Brown said. "John was interested in what we do offensively, and we talked quite often. Usually several times a week.

"And I've been to his house, and he's been over here, and we went fishing and things like that."

After graduating from Hernando, Palmer earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. He served as an assistant coach at Brooksville Central in the Tampa area before becoming a head coach.

"I have had the privilege of working for the best superintendent, principal and with the best teachers and staff I could ask for," Palmer said. "It's been a great seven years. St. Joe has been very good to me and my family. The community has been super supportive and made us a part of Port St. Joe. I will always remember that."

McFarland said once he has a letter of resignation in hand he would proceed with a search of a new coach, hoping to fill the position as soon as possible.