FLEMING ISLAND – Amid a sudden spattering of rumors and innuendo, Fleming Island High football coach Chad Parker was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Golden Eagles Wednesday.

Principal Tom Pittman selected defensive coach Derek Chipoletti to oversee the football team’s day-to-day operations.

School Athletics Director Travis Cunningham designated Chipoletti the interim head coach as details of the situation developed.

With no details from Pittman, the Clay County Schools District is investigating.

“As of 2 p.m. today (Wednesday, Aug. 7), Derek Chipoletti is taking over day-to-day operations of the Fleming Island football team,” Pittman said in a phone call Wednesday night. “The district office is still investigating the situation.”

According to Pittman, Parker is still employed at Fleming Island, and no students were involved in the dramatic personnel shift.

Chipoletti returned to Fleming Island last year after starting the Fleming Island football program from the school’s beginning nearly a decade ago with his father, Neil Chipoletti, the original head coach. After Neil Chipoletti retired from Fleming Island, his son wasn’t selected as the next head coach. Jeff Webb was brought as the next coach from the Panhandle area.

Chipoletti left Clay County to coach at Williston and Bradford County before returning to head coach slots at Oakleaf and St. Johns Country Day School. Oakleaf was 12-1, going 10-0 in the regular season, winning the region title, and winning 2-1 in the playoffs.

After Oakleaf, Chipoletti worked in the private sector in finance before returning to coaching at St. Johns Country Day School.

Parker also had stints at Orange Park High and Bartram Trail before coming to Fleming Island last year, where the Golden Eagles finished 3-7.