Barron Collier High School in Florida has announced that head football coach Brannon Tidwell will miss the entire 2026 season after the Florida High School Athletic Association handed down a series of sanctions.
Suspension Details
The governing body fined Tidwell $5,000 for improper contact with a student‑athlete at another school and ordered a full‑season suspension that will run until June 3, 2027. During that period, Andrew Clawson, who has been an assistant on the staff, will serve as interim head coach.
In addition to the suspension, the school will be placed on administrative probation for one year, a penalty that restricts certain extracurricular activities and requires compliance monitoring.
Coaching Background
Tidwell, an alumnus of Barron Collier who previously served as director of player personnel at Murray State University, has a extensive résumé that includes stints as athletic director and head coach at Thomas Sumter Academy in South Carolina, as well as roles at St. Joseph’s Academy in Florida, Mississippi State and Florida State.
The program will open the 2026 campaign on August 14 against Cooper City before facing Palmetto Ridge. Offensively, Hudson Burger is expected to take over from running back Sam Powell, the team’s leading rusher last season, while veterans Dave Morales and Vincent Akridge are slated to return after posting over 145 yards each as juniors.
Despite the penalties, Tidwell has accepted the disciplinary measures and will remain involved in the football program in a limited capacity, though he will not be allowed to attend games.