Earnest Graham Named Head Coach of Santa Fe High School Football

ALACHUA ‒ The Santa Fe Raiders are hoping a familiar Florida football name can help turn their program around. Florida legend and former NFL running back Earnest Graham has been hired as the team’s head coach for the 2025 season, marking the Raiders' fourth coaching change since 2022.

Graham, who played nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is eager for the opportunity. As he shared with The Gainesville Sun, he believes Santa Fe provides the perfect environment to guide young athletes toward success. The school's football facilities and strong community support also factored into his decision.

Before joining Santa Fe, Graham was the offensive coordinator at Gainesville High School, where he worked alongside former Florida Gators teammate Ian Scott. Under their leadership, the team improved its win total over consecutive seasons, finishing with five victories last year.

The Raiders have struggled in recent years, managing just two wins since 2021. In the 2022-23 season, Santa Fe finished 1-9 under head coach Joe Szymanski, and two years later, Jason Wells led the team to the same record. Their last winning season came in 2015-16, when Bill Wiles coached them to an 8-4 finish. Historically, the Raiders have seen success, winning the Class 3A state championship in 1991 and the Class 4A title in 1994.

Graham’s deep ties to Florida football began at Mariner High School, where he was named the state’s Mr. Football in 1997. That season, he rushed for 5,710 yards and scored 86 touchdowns, earning Parade Magazine All-American honors. His high school career was so impactful that the Florida High School Athletic Association later included him on its “100 Greatest Players of the First 100 Years” list in 2007.

At the collegiate level, Graham continued to make a name for himself with the Florida Gators. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 1999 and earned Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2001. By the time he left Gainesville, he ranked among the program’s all-time leaders in rushing yards and touchdowns.

Despite going undrafted in 2003, Graham carved out a successful NFL career with the Buccaneers, rushing for over 2,000 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns across nine seasons. Known for his relentless work ethic, he became a fan favorite in Tampa Bay.

Following his playing days, Graham transitioned into coaching, quickly making an impact at the high school level. He took over a struggling North Fort Myers program and transformed it into a competitive team, going from a winless season to a .500 record within three years. In 2017, he led the Red Knights to an undefeated season.

His coaching career later took him to Oasis High School, Evangelical Christian, and Woodward Academy. At Woodward, he had the opportunity to coach his son, Myles Graham, who is now following in his father’s footsteps as a linebacker for the Florida Gators.

Now, Graham steps into a challenging role at Santa Fe High School, aiming to bring stability and success to a program that has been searching for a turnaround. With his experience, leadership, and deep Florida football roots, many Raiders are surely hopeful that Graham’s hire will mark the beginning of a new era.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com