Trent Dilfer lost his first high school football game back as the head coach at Lipscomb Academy in overtime. Although the last two plays could’ve been called either way, his decision to go out of the shotgun at the goal line proved to be the difference.
It was coaching malpractice.
Dilfer had a lot of success during his first stint as a high school football coach in Tennessee. The 2026 season begins at 0-1.
Trent Dilfer made his return to Lipscomb Academy.
At 54 years old, Trent Dilfer has lived many lives. The former No. 6 overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens and made the Pro Bowl when the Pro Bowl still mattered. He finished with an all-time record of 58-55 in 14 regular seasons with five different professional teams. And then he joined ESPN as an analyst after retirement in 2008.
Meanwhile, Dilfer also took over the Elite 11 quarterback competition. He was known as one of the top high school quarterback gurus in the country.
Lipscomb Academy, a private Christian school in Nashville, brought him on as the head coach in 2019. Despite his lack of prior experience in a coaching role, Dilfer led the Mustangs to the semifinals in year one and lost the state championship game in year two. He won back-to-back state titles at 26-1 in years three and four. UAB hired him as head coach in 2023.
The (less than) three-year stint in Birmingham did not go well. The Blazers went 9-21 during the Trent Dilfer era, which was highlighted (lowlighted?) by blowout losses, small crowds and a lack of accountability.
Not long after Dilfer was fired at UAB, Lipscomb brought him back for round two. He faces a serious uphill battle in his return to Music City. The Mustangs started at 0-1 on Friday. They began the season at McCallie.
Game 1, ERA 2💜🏈🏆@LAmustangFB @DilfersDimes pic.twitter.com/v4KIXNSoif
— SENIORITY Photo/Iconic Nashville (@SENIORITYPHOTO1) August 21, 2026
It was a back and forth game that ultimately went to overtime.
Never go out of the shotgun at the goal line…
Lipscomb and McCallie were tied at 24 with 11 second remaining in regulation. Kicker Tyler Robbins missed a 46-yard attempt that would’ve won the game for the Mustangs, which ultimately led to overtime.
Tyler Robbins misses a 46-yard FG with 11 seconds left in regulation. We’ve got overtime at Spears Stadium between Lipscomb Academy and McCallie pic.twitter.com/ZwpL7L8Roy
— Stephen Hargis 🇺🇸 (@StephenHargis) August 22, 2026
The Blue Tornado added a field goal during the extra period to take a three-point lead. The Mustangs could force double overtime with a field goal. They decide to go for the win. It appeared as though they might’ve pulled it off.
Lipscomb had two opportunities to get in the end zone on third and fourth down from inside the three-yard-line. McCallie stuffed the visiting offense on both downs to secure the win.
However, the Mustangs thought they broke the goal line on third and fourth down. Boots on the ground might agree.
Here is the fourth down play:
👀Here’s the final play from Lipscomb Academy/McCallie OT in Chatt… was he in?? pic.twitter.com/Ft8TO2dMYb
— SENIORITY Photo/Iconic Nashville (@SENIORITYPHOTO1) August 22, 2026
Here is another look at fourth down:
McCallie stuffs Lipscomb Academy on fourth down at the goal line to win 27-24 in overtime. pic.twitter.com/LYD1tL9G2d
— Stephen Hargis 🇺🇸 (@StephenHargis) August 22, 2026
Did the ball-carrier get in? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
Either way, touchdown or not, Trent Dilfer decided to go from the shotgun at the goal line. The running back started the play five yards in the backfield instead of inside the one. That is never a good idea.