There’s been a jolt in the Florida high school football scene. Santaluces Community High School head football coach Hector Clavijo III has landed in hot water with the Palm Beach County School District’s Office.
The issue? Clavijo reportedly got tangled up in improper Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals with a student-athlete. According to the district’s Office of Inspector General, he accepted $7,000 from the student in exchange for acting as an unlicensed NIL agent—something that’s definitely not allowed under state law, district policy, or the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Bylaw 9.9.
This whole mess has left folks asking how well NIL rules are actually being enforced in high school sports. It’s a fair question, honestly.
The Investigation and Its Findings
The investigation kicked off after a complaint came in July 2025. It revealed that Clavijo had taken advantage of his connection to the student-athlete.
The Palm Beach Post says Clavijo received $5,000 by bank transfer and another $2,000 through Zelle. FHSAA Bylaw 9.9 is pretty clear: no school employee, athletic staff member, or school-affiliated rep can touch NIL representation.
Clavijo claimed he didn’t know the rules and hadn’t gotten any training. Regardless, the district handed him a written reprimand and warned that further slip-ups could cost him his job.
Details of the NIL Violation
Clavijo negotiated a contract for the student-athlete, which is a direct violation of several regulations. The Office of Inspector General found him guilty of acting as an unlicensed NIL agent.
This isn’t just a technicality—it’s a breach of state law and FHSAA policy. FHSAA’s Executive Director, Craig Damon, said there’s still an active investigation into what happened and what it might mean going forward.
The Impact on Clavijo’s Coaching Career
Clavijo’s coaching resume is actually pretty impressive. He led Champagnat Catholic (Fla.) to state championships in 2017, 2019, and 2020.
Since taking over at Santaluces in December 2021, he’s posted a 30-14 record over four seasons. The Chiefs wrapped up last season at 6-4 and landed at No. 180 in the final 2025 Florida High School Football Massey Rankings.
Still, this incident really puts a cloud over his achievements and, honestly, makes you wonder what’s next for him.
Reactions and Future Implications
The reprimand has sparked a lot of debate among people involved in high school sports. Some folks think Clavijo’s lack of training should be considered, while others say the rules have to be enforced strictly to keep things fair.
With the FHSAA investigation ongoing, it’s anyone’s guess how this will shake out—or what it’ll mean for future cases.
Understanding FHSAA Bylaw 9.9
FHSAA Bylaw 9.9 matters a lot here. It’s meant to prevent conflicts of interest and keep high school sports clean.
The rule flat-out bans any school employee, athletic staff, or school representative from doing NIL representation. The idea is to protect student-athletes and make sure the focus stays on the game, not the money.
Breaking this bylaw isn’t a small thing—it can lead to reprimands, suspensions, or even getting fired.
The Role of NIL in High School Sports
NIL deals have opened doors for student-athletes to earn from their talents. But let’s be real: it’s also made things a lot more complicated for everyone involved.
The Clavijo case really shows how much coaches and school staff need clear guidelines and actual training on NIL. If everyone isn’t on the same page about the rules, stuff like this is bound to happen again.
Recommendations for Schools and Athletic Associations
- Comprehensive Training: Schools should require coaches and staff to complete training on NIL regulations. It’s not just a formality—people need to actually know the rules.
- Clear Guidelines: Spell out exactly what counts as a violation of NIL rules. No one likes guessing games here.
- Regular Audits: Set up regular checks to make sure everyone is following NIL guidelines. A little oversight goes a long way.
- Support Systems: Build support for student-athletes so they can handle NIL deals without accidentally breaking the rules. They shouldn’t have to figure it out alone.
The case of Hector Clavijo III is a bit of a jolt for high school sports. It really highlights how crucial it is to know and follow NIL rules—otherwise, student-athletes could get tangled up in trouble they never saw coming.
If you want to dig deeper, check out On3’s full report.
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