All American season 4: What happened to Coach Dante?

All American season 4 episode 3, “All I Need,” has moved Spencer even closer to his dream of playing for a D1 school.

In the season premiere he’d been on the fence about signing his contract with Toledo State because Coop was in a coma but his friends and family urged him not to give up on his dream. So, after encouragement from his best friend when she woke up and a bitterly worded push from Billy, Spencer went on to pledge his talents to Toledo State.

Spoilers ahead of All American season 4 episode 3

His commitment to play for the team has paid off more than he could have expected as we’re only three episodes into season 4 and Toledo’s head coach, Hudson, has already made an in-person appearance. He came bearing the news that he’d like Spencer to play as a true freshman, meaning he’d play for the college immediately and start his semester in the spring instead of waiting until the fall.

As such Spencer’s senior year of high school could be up in two weeks as he has the grades to graduate months before his friends. By the end of “All I Need” it seemed like Spencer had decided to go to Toledo early, but he received some surprising news about Coach Dante Smart that could have him changing his mind by next episode.

What happened to Coach Dante on All American season 4?

Last season Spencer was unsure about his future.

He’d recovered from the injuries he’d sustained from the shooting in season 2 and had gone to therapy to deal with the mental stress and trauma that stemmed from the circumstances surrounding how he got shot.

However, the whole ordeal had lowered his prospects and he was concerned that he wouldn’t achieve his dream of playing football at a D1 school. Spencer had briefly entertained an offer from a coach who prided himself on building a team of bruisers, but it was Coach Dante who’d left an impression.

Spencer has always admired coaches that believe their players should be great on the field and even better men off of it. Dante asked more of Spencer as a person, he expected him to be a leader and to remember that his teammates are his family not a means for him to win as if he plays alone.

His respect for Dante, coupled with his desire to play for him and grow as a football player, led Spencer to choose Toledo State as his next team. Now that decision is on shaky ground.

According to Coach Hudson, Dante left the college a few weeks ago. He gave no reason for why he left but Hudson clearly saw that Spencer was bothered by the news.

While Spencer said it wouldn’t be a problem when he was asked about it, signs are pointing to it being a big problem for Spencer that could come to a head in next week’s episode, “Bird in the Hand,” especially if he learns why Dante is no longer the wide out coach at Toledo State.

New episodes of All American season 4 air Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW. Next day viewing is available on The CW app.