Local
Riverside football job offer never became a hire, Duval schools say
Duval County Public Schools says Jerrand Nesmith was offered a coaching position at Riverside High but never cleared for employment, while a current staff member has served as interim head coach. Parents and a school board member are seeking clearer answers about the process and the team’s support.
Duval County Public Schools says school leaders confronted Jerrand Nesmith after he publicly identified himself as Riverside High School’s head football coach, even though he was never hired and had not completed the district’s screening process.
In a statement Wednesday, Oct. 21, the district said Nesmith had been offered the coaching position but that employment depended on completing hiring and screening requirements. School leaders addressed his media comments and social media posts because, the district said, they inaccurately described his employment status.
DCPS said a current Riverside staff member has served as interim head coach throughout the process. The district did not identify that staff member in its response, and it has not explained who, if anyone, authorized Nesmith to be around students before his hiring process was complete.
Nesmith had described himself as Riverside’s new head coach in an interview before the season, and team posts and outside outlets also referred to him as the coach. The district has said he was never its employee and never served in an official capacity. It previously said he failed to meet employment requirements and did not receive clearance or authorization to work with students.
The district has declined to explain why Nesmith did not receive clearance, saying it cannot discuss details of an individual hiring process. It has not accused him of wrongdoing. Messages seeking comment from Nesmith and Riverside’s athletic director had not received responses by the time of publication.
Parents of Riverside players have described confusion over the coaching situation and frustration with limited communication. Some said they had not seen Nesmith on the sidelines this season. Parents also raised concerns about direction for players pursuing college opportunities, including reports that player statistics have not been consistently uploaded.
Duval County School Board member Reginald “Reggie” Blount called for accountability and said district leaders should ensure that people with access to students are properly vetted, including community volunteers. DCPS policy says prospective coaches must apply, interview with school administrators, receive an offer and finish human resources requirements before beginning work. The district also says volunteer coaches are not allowed in athletic facilities or with students or athletes.