For the second time in just three seasons, North Marion football will have a new head coach when the season kicks off in August.
Jeremiaha Gates, who was the head man for the Colts during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, is no longer with the program, North Marion athletic director Dale Hall told the Star-Banner on Thursday, April 16, adding that Gates “stepped away” from the program last week.
Gates, who spent his high school playing career at Trinity Catholic, noted his family ties to North Marion when he eagerly accepted the head coaching position in 2024 — taking over a program that had went 1-9 the year prior.
In his first season on the sidelines, Gates led the Colts to a 4-6 record before sliding to 2-8 last season in a stretch that saw North Marion be outscored 111-13 against fellow Marion County teams (Forest, Vanguard, Dunnellon).
What’s next for North Marion football?
North Marion football will turn to an interim head coach during the spring and 2026 seasons, Hall told the Star-Banner, adding that it’ll be Omar Vences who will get the interim tag and lead the Colts through the 2026 season.
“We will re-evaluate the program at the end of the season,” Hall said.
Spring football should be getting underway soon for the Colts, who will be looking for their first winning season since going 7-4 in 2022 when the 2026 season kicks off in August.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: North Marion football coach Jeremiaha Gates steps away, Colts to have interim in 2026
Reporting by Ainslie Lee, Gainesville Sun / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
