James Delgado, the Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator since 2011 at Apopka High School, is leaving to take a job as Head Coach of Riverdale High School in Ft. Myers.
"As of today, it's official. I have accepted a head coaching position at Riverdale High School in Fort Myers," Delgado posted on his Facebook page. "I am so incredibly thankful and humbled by God's grace in my life. Leaving the wonderful players and people of Apopka is not an easy decision but I'm confident that it's time for me to take all of the things I've learned leading up to this moment and apply them towards the betterment of others.
It's time to make an impact in Southwest Florida."
The Riverdale Raiders had a 2-7 record this season.
In his time as an assistant coach at Apopka, they have made three additional state championship appearances, winning in 2012 and 2014. In 2013, Delgado helped lead an Apopka offense that set a state record of 752 pts (50 ppg/15 games) & 6,000 yards rushing. While at Apopka, he developed some of the nation’s top offensive linemen in Martez Ivey and Ty Darlington. (Ivey - University of Florida, Army All-American, Army Lineman of the Year, Army Player of the Year, 1st Team All Florida HS Team, #1 Offensive Tackle in the Nation (Rivals and ESPN 300), #2 Overall recruit (Rivals) (Darlington - Oklahoma University, Army All American, 1st Team All Florida Team, #1 Offensive Center in the Nation (247Sports and Rivals), Winner of Campbell Trophy and Wuerffel Trophy, named honorable mention All-American by Sports Illustrated, All-Big 12 First Team by league's coaches, named Academic All-Big 12 First Team).
Delgado, 31, comes from a rich pedigree of head coaches having worked with Rick Darlington (Apopka), Doug Nichols (Osceola), Jeff Rolson (Osceola), and Kelly Scott (Webber International University). Delgado is a graduate of Apopka High School and played on the 2001 state championship team (the school’s first championship).
He has also produced three simultaneous individual 1,000 yard rushers, per season, for three consecutive years (2015, 2014, and 2013). Delgado’s offensive line paved the way to break the individual single season rushing record for Apopka High School, 2,371 yards, in 2013.
While at Apopka, Delgado was voted the 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year. Delgado has also coached at Osceola High School serving as their Offensive Coordinator, Special Teams Coordinator and Offensive Line coach. While at Osceola, Delgado was voted the 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year. Throughout his high school career he has had the unique opportunity to place athletes from multiple positions at every collegiate level and he has created a multitude of relationships with college recruiters.
He has also competed in the Florida State Playoffs in every year of his tenure. He played college football at Webber International University as an offensive lineman and served as a team captain.
After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in finance, he served the university as a football coach and recruiter. In that time he earned his Master’s Degree in Sport Management.
The Riverdale High School Football Team went 2-7 this season.
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