About the DeLAND BULLDOGS

 

DeLand High School Football – Historical Overview

The First Game (1920)

DeLand and Volusia County’s first-ever high school football game was played in October 1920
Location: Stetson Athletic Field
Opponent: Orlando High School

The DeLand Sun-News game story did not list the score, but noted:

  • It was DeLand High School’s first football game.

  • Orlando won decisively.

  • DeLand players tried on uniforms for the first time only two days before the game.

  • The team scrimmaged just once beforehand.

  • Despite the circumstances, they “performed admirably.”

Coaching Records (Year-by-Year)

Rick Darlington — 31–14 (69%)

  • 2025: 9–0 (current)

  • 2024: 5–6 — Started mostly freshmen & sophomores

    • Lost to Lake Mary (1st Round)

    • Highest Team GPA in Class 7A

  • 2023: 11–3 — District Champions, Lost to Venice (Regional Finals)

  • 2022: 6–5 — District Champions, Lost to Osceola 30–28 (1st Round)

Steve Allen — 26–21 (55%)

  • 2021: 4–4

  • 2020: 4–4 — Lost to Seminole (1st Round)

  • 2019: 7–3 — Lost to Timber Creek (1st Round)

  • 2018: 8–3 — Lost to Mandarin (1st Round)

  • 2017: 3–7

Vernon Shelton — 2–11 (15%)

  • 2016: 2–8

  • 2015: 0–3 (Interim; named permanent afterward)

James Thomson — 13–15 (46%)

  • 2015: 2–5 (Resigned mid-season)

  • 2014: 7–4 — District Runner-Up; Lost to #1 First Coast 32–19 (1st Round)

  • 2013: 4–6 — Four losses on final play of the game (by total of 17 points)

Al Manning — 6–5 (55%)

  • 2012: 6–5 — District Champions, Lost to Seminole (1st Round)

Ryan Smith — 10–2 (83%)

  • 2011: 10–2 — District Champions, Lost to Fletcher (2nd Round)

Kevin Pettis — 27–11 (71%)

  • 2010: 9–3 — District Champs (2nd Round)

  • 2009: 13–2 — State Runner-Up

  • 2008: 5–6 — District Runner-Up, Lost to Seminole (1st Round)

Larry Candeto — 6–15 (29%)

  • 2007: 0–10

  • 2006: 6–5 — District Champions, Lost to Lake Brantley (1st Round)

Dean Fabrizio — 12–7 (63%)

  • 2005: 7–3

  • 2004: 5–4 (Mainland game cancelled due to hurricanes)

Bill Elder — 9–11 (45%)

  • 2003: 4–6

  • 2002: 5–5

Mike Harville — 12–18 (40%)

  • 2001: 4–6

  • 2000: 3–7

  • 1999: 5–5

Wade Rollinson — 23–12 (66%)

  • 1998: 9–3 — District Runner-Up (Lost to Lake City Columbia, 2nd Round)

  • 1997: 10–2 — District Champions (Lost to Niceville, 2nd Round)

  • 1996: 4–7 — District Runner-Up (Lost to Lake Howell, 1st Round)

Howie DeCristofaro — 24–8 (75%)

  • 1995: 10–1 — District Champions

  • 1994: 8–3 — Won Rotary Bowl

  • 1993: 6–4

Dave Hiss — 49–54 (10 seasons, 47%)

Notable seasons:

  • 1987: 7–3

  • 1986 & 1985 & 1984: 7–4 seasons (Bowl appearances / District Champs in ’86)

Don Stowers — 22–28 (44%)

Coach 1978–1982, multiple Fern Bowl appearances.

Jim Bohl (1975–1977)

  • 1975: 10–2 — District Champions

Bruce Greathouse (1974): 4–6

Fred Goldsmith (1972–1973):

  • 1972 & 1973 both .500-range seasons with Christmas Bowl appearances.

Bill Bradford (1970–1971):

  • 1971: 0–10

  • 1970: 6–4

Coach Burton (~1968–1969):

  • 1969: 8–3 — Lost to Mainland (Christmas Bowl)

Bill Spoone (1966–1967):

Rebuilding years.

Tom Hill (1963–1965):

Competitive .500-level stretch.

**James “Spec” Martin — Two Tenures (1938–41 & 1945–62)

  • Multiple Eastern Florida Conference Championships

  • 1955: 8–2 — EFC Champions

  • 1947: EFC Champions

  • 1949: 8–2 — Citrus Bowl appearance

(The stadium is named for him for a reason.)

Early-Era Coaching (1920s–1930s)

Cecil Beck, Sug Cox, Bob Wilson, Ed Spring, and others developed the program through its formative years, beginning in 1920.

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