Beginning with the 2026 season, former Jaguars linebacker and assistant coach Tony Gilbert will be leading the Stingrays football program.

Gilbert was Atlantic Coast's defensive coordinator during the 2025 season. He becomes the 6th head football coach in school history as he takes over for ACHS alum Step Durham.

Coach Gilbert played collegiately at the University of Georgia. He was selected in the 6th round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He spent 5 seasons playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars before finishing up his career with the Atlanta Falcons.

Shortly after his playing days concluded, Gilbert began his coaching career which has taken him to several colleges including Georgia, Auburn, UCF, and North Carolina. In 2020, Gilbert came back to Jacksonville as an assistant linebackers coach with the Jaguars. Following the dismissal of head coach Doug Marrone, Gilbert was retained by Urban Meyer in 2021 and then again by Doug Pederson in 2022.

2026 will be the first time Tony Gilbert has been a head coach at any level. The regular season for the Stingrays begins on August 21st at home against Fleming Island. For more, check out this recent interview: Click Here