The Emerald Coast is draped in a mantle of sorrow this week as the community of Destin, Florida, grapples with the loss of a foundational figure in its local sports history. Eric Divens, the beloved Assistant Football Coach for Destin High School (DHS), has passed away, leaving behind a legacy that transcends the chalk lines of the football field.
For a young school like Destin High, history is written by those who show up first, and Coach Divens was there from “Day One.” His passing marks the end of an era for the Sharks’ football program, but his influence is etched into the very culture of the school and the hearts of the athletes he mentored.
A Founding Father of Shark Football
When Destin High School first opened its doors and sought to establish a football program, it required more than just equipment and a playbook; it required a soul. Eric Divens provided exactly that. As a “staple figure” of the program since its inception, he was instrumental in the painstaking work of building a team from the ground up.
Coaching at a brand-new program is a unique challenge that involves recruiting players who have never played together, establishing traditions out of thin air, and fostering a sense of pride in a brand-new jersey. Coach Divens embraced this challenge with a “big heart” and an even bigger vision. He wasn’t just coaching a game; he was helping to create a home for student-athletes in Destin.
The Destin Touchdown Club, in a moving tribute, highlighted the core of Coach Divens’ philosophy: he cared far more about the person wearing the helmet than the stats they produced. While he possessed an undeniable passion for the technical aspects of the game, his true “North Star” was the development of young people of character.
He understood that for many high schoolers, the football field is a classroom for life. Coach Divens used every practice, every grueling summer workout, and every Friday night lights moment to instill values of discipline, integrity, and resilience. He wanted his players to thrive on the field, yes, but more importantly, he wanted them to leave the program ready to “go out into the world and make a difference.” To Coach Divens, a successful season wasn’t measured in wins and losses, but in the quality of the citizens his players became after graduation.
To be in the presence of Eric Divens was to be enveloped by his energy. The Destin community describes his passion as “contagious”—the kind of spirit that could lift a locker room after a tough loss or ignite a fire during a crucial drive. He didn’t just teach football; he radiated an excitement for life that was impossible to ignore.
You didn’t just see Coach Divens on the sidelines; you felt him. Whether it was a booming word of encouragement, a firm handshake, or that unmistakable spark of joy in his eyes when a player finally mastered a difficult skill, he occupied space with a warmth that made everyone around him feel seen and valued.
The ripple effects of his passing are being felt throughout the Destin community. From the parents in the Touchdown Club who relied on his guidance to the young athletes who looked up to him as a father figure, the void left by his absence is immense. The Touchdown Club expressed the collective sentiment of the town: “Thank you for loving our players and community.”
Coach Divens’ legacy will not be found in trophies, but in the lives of the young men who are now kinder, harder-working, and more principled because they spent four years under his wing. As the Sharks take the field in the seasons to come, there will be a silent tribute in every huddle and every touchdown, honoring the man who was there at the beginning and gave his all until the end.
