By MATT LANGONE
LOWELL SUN
LOWELL — Lowell High School is moving on from head football coach John Florence.
Florence told The Sun on Wednesday night that he was informed that his expiring contract will not be renewed and Lowell will begin a search for a new head coach. Florence said that he was told that he is welcome to reapply for the position once it’s open. He also said that he doesn’t intend to do that.
“I still love coaching and one way or another I plan to do so again. I’m just not sure where,” said Florence.
Florence spent nine seasons as Lowell’s head coach with an overall record of 49-48. His Red Raiders fell to rival Haverhill on Thanksgiving to punctuate a 4-7 campaign in 2019 that included a 42-13 Division 1 quarterfinal playoff loss to St. John’s Prep. Lowell, which finished 5-5 in 2018 and plays in the perennially challenging Merrimack Valley Conference, hasn’t had a winning season since 2014.
However, Florence enjoyed plenty of early success at LHS. He guided the Red Raiders to four straight winning seasons to start his tenure. Lowell advanced to the Division 1 North semifinals in 2013 and tied for the Merrimack Valley Conference Division 1 title in 2012 with a 9-2 final record under Florence.
“It’s kind of a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business and I understand that,” Florence said.
