SFM High to play first football game without Dixon as head coach

FORT MYERS, Fla.- The South Fort Myers High School football team will host its first game of the season Friday night without former head coach Anthony Dixon.

The Lee County School District fired Dixon earlier this week in the wake of a bathroom sex scandal involving his players.

Since Dixon was let go, there have been numerous efforts to bring him back. Dozens plan to wear shirts supporting the former coach at Friday’s game.

“We all love him. he’s a good man who pours in the hearts of kids,” said David Gold whose son played football under Dixon. “Incredibly disappointed that decision was made to release him. I wish they would change their minds.”

A petition to bring Dixon back has gathered 1,700 signatures, while the hashtag “Dixon is South” is taking over social media.

“It’s really, really sad that it got to this point because he can’t control what these kids are doing,” Gold said.

The school district also relieved Nathan O’Jibway from his position as the assistant football coach but allowed him to remain at the school as a teacher.

Matthew Holderfield, who is now the school’s interim head football coach, will lead the team Friday night.