NFL Alum Jaylen Watkins Steps In as Interim Coach at Cape Coral High

Tyler Murphy has quit his post as head coach of Cape Coral High School's football program, with Cape Coral alum and ex-NFL player Jaylen Watkins stepping in to lead the team.

School officials broke the news on Sept. 11, 2025. They said Murphy left for private matters, giving up his teaching spot too.

The switch comes at an odd time. The team stands strong at 3-0 this year. Under Murphy's watch, they went 11-2 total, with an amazing 8-2 run and district title in 2024.

"Coach Murphy is more than a coach. He is a mentor, a protector, and a role model who has changed the lives of our student-athletes on and off the field," read a petition to school board members, according to On3. It drew over 200 names.

The new interim coach brings big-league skills to the field. A Cape Coral grad himself, Watkins played six years in the NFL from 2014-2020. He won a Super Bowl ring with Philadelphia in 2017. His time with the Eagles and Chargers saw him make 93 tackles.

Before this bump up, Watkins ran the defense for the Seahawks. He shared his thoughts on Facebook about Murphy's exit: "I would prefer to have my brother back please!" according to Cape Coral Breeze.

The team's rise under Murphy stood out — they had struggled with just 12 wins against 35 losses in five years before him.