High school football: IMG Academy head coach Bobby Acosta leaving for Texas program

National champs will be searching for third coach in three seasons.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
By
Apr 2, 2021, 6:30pm
Earlier this week, one of the premier high school football programs in Texas made a high-profile hire as former SMU and Arkansas head coach Chad Morris was brought on board by Allen. Not to be outdone, Del Valle made a splashy hire of its own Friday.

After leading IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) to a national title last season, Bobby Acosta is leaving the Sunshine State after one year to take over at the Austin-area program, the school announced in a press release.

Under Acosta, IMG Academy went 8-0 in 2020 and was the wire-to-wire national No. 1. The Ascenders outscored opponents 381-82.

"I knew I found my new home after meeting with Athletic Director Tawni Angel and Superintendent Dr. Annette Tielle," Acosta said in a statement released by the school. "Del Valle has a culture of excellence and wants to infuse our students with the tools to be successful."

Acosta spent time coaching at the college level before taking over at IMG Academy. He was the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Minnesota's College of St. Scholastica in 2019 and coached at Bucknell (2017-18), Cornell (2016) and Syracuse (2014-15) before that.

At Del Valle, Acosta replaces Charles Burton, who stepped down after last season. Burton went 29-51 and was the longest-tenured head coach in school history. Five-star wide receiver Caleb Burton announced he will not be playing his senior season for the Cardinals after his father stepped down.

IMG Academy instantly becomes one of the hottest jobs on the market for any head coach. Nine players expected to return are featured in 247Sports' look at the top prospects in the Class of 2023.

Former Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley, Calif.) quarterback A.J. Duffy takes over under center while Kamari Wilson (S), Kaytron Allen (RB), Tyler Booker (OT), Daylen Everette (CB) and Malik Bryant (OLB) are all four-star prospects expected to return.

Other highly-touted prospects transferring into the program this year include athlete Keon Sabb, offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, offensive tackle Drew Shelton, tight end Jack Pederson, cornerback Malik Muhammad, athlete Joenel Aguero and defensive end Cameron Lenhardt.
Bobby Acosta is leaving IMG Academy after one year, setting off the program's second coaching search in as many years.
Bobby Acosta is leaving IMG Academy after one year, setting off the program's second coaching search in as many years.
Photo by Mike Janes

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