The UIL State Executive Committee handed down significant penalties to the Gainesville football program on Thursday, suspending head coach Neil Searcy from all coaching duties for the 2026 season and stripping the Leopards of four days of preseason practice after determining Searcy made a “willful decision” to violate offseason practice rules. Searcy also received a public reprimand and was placed on probation for three years.

On July 27, the District 6-4A Division II DEC voted 5-0 to refer Searcy and Gainesville High School for alleged UIL violations involving offseason workouts and the use of contact equipment (helmets and shoulder pads); the State Executive Committee met Thursday morning to consider that referral.

In May 2026, Gainesville conducted six one-hour offseason workouts during which athletes wore helmets and shoulder pads.

UIL rules prohibit the use of contact equipment during offseason workouts. In addition, Class 4A programs are not permitted to conduct spring football workouts that allow contact equipment. Full-contact spring football is currently permitted only for Class 5A and 6A programs.

Searcy self-reported the violation to the DEC after Gainesville ISD Superintendent Dr. Desmontes Stewart learned of the workouts through a conversation with a Gainesville ISD police officer. During Thursday’s hearing, Searcy took full responsibility, saying he was trying to generate excitement around the football program and increase participation, but expressed regret for what he called a “lack of judgment.”

The SEC issued Searcy a public reprimand, placed him on probation for three years, and suspended him from all head coaching duties for the 2026 football season. The committee called the violation a “willful decision” by Searcy. He will remain the district’s athletic director, but the UIL reiterated that he is prohibited from participating in coaching duties during the suspension.

The SEC also penalized the Gainesville football program by taking away four days of preseason practice, from Friday, Aug. 7, through Tuesday, Aug. 11. The Leopards may only conduct workouts equivalent to offseason conditioning during that period, with the UIL stating the modified schedule is necessary to continue acclimatizing student-athletes to the August heat.

Gainesville may resume practicing in helmets and shoulder pads on Wednesday, Aug. 12, with full-contact practices allowed after that date.

As a result of the sanctions, Gainesville will be unable to participate in its scheduled Aug. 13 scrimmage against Frisco Legacy Christian.