FHSAA Suspends Santaluces Coach One Year Over NIL Payment From Student

Investigators say he took $7,000 to act as an agent, a role school employees are barred from under state and FHSAA rules.

Overview

The Florida High School Athletic Association imposed a one-year coaching ban on Hector Clavijo, fined him $5,000, fined Santaluces $2,000, and placed the school’s athletic program on probation through April 2027.
Santaluces named assistant Samuel Putmon interim head coach for the spring and said he will lead the team’s upcoming spring jamboree.
A Palm Beach County inspector general probe found a student-athlete sent Clavijo $5,000 by bank transfer and $2,000 via Zelle and concluded he exploited his coach–student relationship.
Investigators said emails, social media, training logs, and a bank statement supported the findings that he acted as an unlicensed representative in NIL negotiations.
Clavijo told The Palm Beach Post that he and the school will appeal, as the case highlights how FHSAA Bylaw 9.9 blocks school staff from representing athletes in NIL deals to avoid conflicts of interest.