5 potential candidates for the now-vacant Miami Central head football coaching position

The Rockets are looking for a new head football coach and we provide five candidates we think could be in the mix

Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs on the field during warmups before a wild card game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

We know it just happened just over 24 hours ago, but Miami Central's football head coaching vacancy becomes right up there with IMG Academy as one of the premier unfilled positions currently in the country.

The question now is who will take over the storied Rockets' football program?

Now we could certainly create a pretty deep list of potential candidates, but we're going to keep it at five coaches or alum we could see becoming the next lead man of the Miami Central Rockets.

This list is purely based off

Take a look down below and let us know if you feel like there's someone we missed.

1. Tim 'Ice' Harris, Miami Booker T. Washington head coach

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Can we officially say Harris is formerly of Miami Booker T. Washington? According to the Florida High School Athletic Association's classified section, the Tornadoes' head football coaching job is open and they're currently accepting applicants. Whatever the case may be, Tim 'Ice' Harris employed or not is a surefire top candidate for the Rockets. Why? Harris' coaching resume speaks for itself as a South Florida legend. Harris led the Tornadoes to state championships in 2007, 2012 and 2013. He's also coming off a a season in which he led the program to the Class 2A state semifinals, falling to eventual runnerup Gadsden County. This ultimately seems like a no-brainer pairing, but we've seen crazier things happen.

2. Derrick Gibson, former Florida Atlantic assistant

Derrick Gibson, a former FSU DB & longtime Central assistant, is expected to take over. He was part of Central’s championship runs & recently coached at FAU. Now, he looks to restore the Rockets’ dominance. #MiamiCentral #HighSchoolFootball

— Footballville (@Footballville) February 8, 2025

This would be another potential slam-dunk hire for Miami Central, but does Gibson leave the college game altogether and return to the high school ranks? Gibson was making around $115,000 when he was with the Owls and would take a pay cut heading back to coach the Rockets, where he coached defensively from 2009-2019. There's a ton of familiarity when it comes to Gibson and Miami-Dade high school football, as the former FSU defensive back led Killian from 2019-2021 and had an overall record of 26-6. Hand Gibson the keys to Miami Central and a resurgence could quickly follow. There's already speculation via social media that Gibson could be the Rockets' selection, but we will see in the days to come if that in fact happens. It's a wait and see at this point.

3. Tommy Shuler, Miami Central assistant

Oct 25, 2014; Huntington, WV, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd wide receiver Tommy Shuler (1) catches a pass before the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Marshall defeated Florida Atlantic 35-16. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-Imagn Images / Michael Shroyer-Imagn Images

Why not promote from within again? Shuler, who played his high school and college ball with former Miami Central quarterback Rakeem Cato (see below), has been an assistant already at the school and knows the ins and outs. Knowledge of the game doesn't come into question, but more so in who do they want returning from the previous regime. That would be up to the powers at be at Miami Central, but Shuler surely has the know-how when it comes to the Rockets.

4. Rakeem Cato, Miami Central alum

Nov 22, 2014; Birmingham, AL, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd quarterback Rakeem Cato (12) looks to pass during the second half against the UAB Blazers at Legion Field. Marshall defeated UAB 23-18. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-Imagn Images / Shanna Lockwood-Imagn Images

Look around high school and you have plenty of examples of program's former quarterbacks returning to their alma mater and leading the team back to success. Teddy Bridgewater at Miami Northwestern is obviously one and also look at Glades Central's Omar Haugabook, who played for the Raiders before taking over as the head coach years later. Cato played at Marshall and has plenty of experience playing arena ball. Definitely could be a fit as signal callers running programs certainly has become the trend.

5. Dalvin Cook, Miami Central alum

Dec 3, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

You're probably looking at this one like huh, but think about it. NFL stars returning to their alma mater has become quite the trend around the county. Heck, for the Rockets all they have to do it look over at rival Miami Northwestern, who brought back Teddy Bridgewater as the head coach. It seems that's worked out just fine for the Bulls and Cook coaching the Rockets could do just fine as well. Question is, does the running back have any interest whatsoever in leading the Rockets? Cook played this past season for the New York Jets, but is now a free agent. Though this one seems unlikely, you just never know if Miami Central makes the call, Cook coming home would be something.

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