Jonathan Simmons, the only head football coach Palisades High School has had, resigned Saturday, Sept. 19, ending a four-year run that began when the school opened in 2022.

Simmons had been suspended with pay before the 2026 season and did not coach a game during the season. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools did not publicly state a reason for the suspension, WCNC reported Aug. 24. The Pumas compete in the Southwestern 7A/8A conference alongside Ardrey Kell, making the coaching upheaval relevant across the league.

The Charlotte Observer first reported the resignation Saturday, with reporter Langston Wertz Jr. quoting Simmons in the headline: "It's been an honor."

Simmons built the Pumas' football program from the ground up at the southwest Charlotte school. He posted back-to-back 8-4 seasons in 2024 and 2025, according to WCNC, compiling an overall record of 21-24 across his tenure. Earlier in 2026, the Observer described Palisades as "going for its third straight winning season" and looking to "jump into the upper echelon of Charlotte teams."

Then came the suspension. CMS announced it Aug. 24 but offered no explanation. Simmons was suspended with pay, according to WBTV.

Defensive coordinator Darrel Wilson stepped in as interim head coach. Under Wilson, the Pumas opened the 2026 season 4-1 overall, according to MaxPreps. Early results include a 32-0 win in Week 1, an 18-10 road win at Clover and a 24-20 loss to Chambers.

The 4-1 start suggests the program Simmons built has held together through the disruption. Palisades enrolls about 2,330 students in grades 9 through 12.

CMS has not announced whether Wilson will remain in the role or whether the district will search for a permanent head coach. No statement from Wilson or CMS athletics officials about the program's direction after Simmons' departure was available as of Saturday, Sept. 19.