Andrew Thomas, who led the Union County (Lake Butler) football team to the FHSAA Rural State Semifinals this past season, has been relieved of his duties as head football coach and athletics director of the Tigers.
“In the best interest of the Union County High School Football Program, both in the immediate and long-term future, the decision was made to part ways with head coach Andrew Thomas,” Mike Ripplinger, superintendent of schools for the Union County School District, said via email. “Union County is appreciative of the success Coach Thomas had during his tenure and may he continue to have a successful career.”
Ripplinger spoke to Thomas this morning and he informed him of the change.
Thomas, who led Trenton football to two Class 1A state titles in three years (2013 and 2015), began coaching at UCHS in 2020.
He led the Tigers to two state semifinal appearances in his five seasons and never had a losing season in Lake Butler. Thomas finished with an overall record of 46-14 for a .767 winning percentage.
This past fall, Union County (10-2) lost at eventual state champion Madison County, 34-8, on Nov. 29 in the FHSAA Rural State Semifinals.
Two years ago, Union County finished 8-4 following a 17-14 loss at Madison County in the Rural Region Final, falling just one game shy of the state semifinals.
In 2021, Union County finished the regular season unbeaten for the first time since 2012.
It was the first time that the Tigers had gone undefeated since the 11-0 team lost to Newberry, 18-13, in the Class 1A state playoffs under head coach Ronny Pruitt.
However, Chiefland edged Union County, 29-27, in the Class 1A-Region 3 Final to hand the Tigers (12-1) their only loss of the season.
Thomas’ other state semifinal appearance was in 2022.
The Tigers (8-3) lost at Northview (Bratt), 21-11, denying the program its first trip to the state title game since 2003.
While at Union County, he won his 100th game overall as a coach with a 28-12 win at Dixie County (Cross City) in 2021.
Ripplinger said an interim head coach will be named “to lead the program through the next season as a search is conducted to find and hire the next head coach for the following spring.”
Union County (Lake Butler) was recognized as the top 1A classification during the 2022-23 school year with Thomas serving as director of athletics.
Thomas said when the timing is right, he will provide a comment.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include the correct overall record and winning percentage.
Shocked to hear this. I really like Coach and thankful for all he has done for the program and the kids.