New offense, attitude part of spring football rebuild at Island Coast
Midgett, a former standout quarterback at Charlotte High School, is looking to rebuild the Island Coast football program.
Spring football is a season of renewal. A time when every team can envision a bright future, no matter how bleak the recent past. That’s certainly the vibe at Island Coast, where first-time head coach Justin Midgett is looking to restore a winning culture to a program that once was among Lee County’s best.
In their first seven varsity seasons, the Gators posted a 52-22 record and made the state playoffs five times, including a 2010 Class 2B state semifinal appearance. Since 2015, however, Island Coast is just 29-78 with one winning season, a 6-5 campaign in 2020. Coming off a 1-9 finish last fall, Midgett said the returning players have demonstrated a willingness to do whatever it takes to win.
“The kids are incredibly bought in to what we are trying to do,” said the 41-year-old Midgett. “We’ve got great kids; it’s just our numbers are down. The guys who are left are the guys who really want to be here and really want to work.
” Midgett said he’s got 33 players out this spring, which has its positives and negatives. “The good thing is you can build the culture around the guys who are really wanting to work and really wanting to do things the right way,” he said. “And they can set the standard for everyone who comes after.