Head coach Marcus Neeson is entering his 13th year of coaching, his ninth at Apopka and his second season leading the program. Neeson began with the Blue Darters as the freshman defensive coordinator before becoming the freshman head coach. He later coached the varsity secondary and served as defensive coordinator in 2023 before taking over as head coach in 2025. 

Neeson is joined by a staff featuring both longtime Apopka coaches and several new faces. 

Matt Anderson brings 33 years of coaching experience to the defensive line. Anderson has coached in Texas, Missouri and Florida and has sent players to some of the best colleges in the nation. 

Deon Williams enters his eighth year coaching as the program’s quality control coach, filling whatever role the staff needs. 

Bob Head is in his first season at Apopka and serves as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Head has 25 years of coaching experience, including 14 years as a head coach in Orange County. 

Janko Beras begins his first season with the Blue Darters as the offensive line coach after six years of coaching.

Larvez “Pooh Bear” Mars continues his 10-year coaching tenure at Apopka as the linebackers coach. Mars is also a former Blue Darter who went on to play at Florida International University. 

Jason Ritz enters his second year coaching at Apopka, working with the offensive line while also coaching at the junior varsity and freshman levels. Ritz is an Apopka graduate from the class of 2001. 

Norman Taylor, who has spent 10 years coaching in the Apopka community, works with the freshman team. 

Karee Pitts coaches the running backs and freshman team. Pitts is entering his fourth year as a coach and second season at Apopka. His connection to the program goes back even further, as he grew up in the area while his father coached the Blue Darters from 1996-2006. 

Fred Bush brings 25 years of coaching experience and serves as the junior varsity head coach. 

Kelvin “Big Baby” Joyner coaches the offensive line and tight ends. A member of Apopka’s class of 2014, Joyner is entering his 10th year of coaching. 

Rian Davis is in his first season at Apopka as a linebackers coach. A native of Apopka, Davis played at and graduated from Wekiva High School, then played Division 1 college football at the University of Georgia before transferring back home to UCF for his senior season.