Longtime Fort Myers High School football coach Sam Sirianni Jr. will not be on the sidelines for the Green Wave's next two games because he is taking medical leave.
The Lee County School District sent an email, which stated in part that it was Sirianni's idea to take the two-week leave and that he would return to work on Monday, Sept. 15. The message did not reveal the reason for Sirianni's absence, and the coach did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Fort Myers athletic director Steve Cato said Green Wave assistant head coach Chad Terrell, a 1995 Fort Myers graduate and longtime football assistant, would serve as the interim head coach until Sirianni returns. Cato declined to state the reason for Sirianni's leave.
Previously: Joel Ervin and Kendall Guervil say Fort Myers is special. That's why they stayed Greenies
Sirianni, age 61, is in his 24th season as Fort Myers' head football coach and has an overall record of 175-81 (.683 winning percentage). He succeeded his father, Sam Siranni Sr., who coached the Green Wave for 33 seasons (1969-2001), finishing with a 244-103-4 record.
Fort Myers (2-0) will visit longtime county rival Cypress Lake (0-2) on Friday, Sept. 5.