Teddy Bridgewater Named Miami Northwestern Head Football Coach
Bulls Legend Teddy Bridgewater will Coach his Alma Mater
Published: February 2, 2024 6:00 PM
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(Liberty City) --
Liberty City legend Teddy Bridgewater has been named the new Head Football Coach of the historic Miami Northwestern Bulls. As a Seasoned NFL Veteran and a Bulls alum, Bridgewater will come in with big expectations to bring the glory back to The West.
The West fared 4-6 in 2023 in a rebuilding phase under first-year head coach Michalee Harris. Following in the footsteps of a coaching legend head coach Max Edwards, who brought 3 straight state trophies from 2017-2019 back to 71st Street, was a tough task for Harris given only a year to rebuild, after showing promise and progress with talented players.
The West had some tough games and some big wins in one of the toughest schedules to date. The schedule included powerhouses that would eventually be 2 State Champs (Chaminade, Miami Columbus), 1 state runner-up (Venice), Regional Finalist 8-4 Miami Central and 9-3 Regional Semifinalist Booker T, and 9-3 Vero Beach. The signature win of the 2023 season was a shocking 7-2 win over then-ranked #1 West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman. The losses to Vero Beach, Miami Central, and Booker T. Washington were games decided by one score (8 points or less).
THE WEST
Teddy B starred as the QB of the Bulls when they were at the top of the national discussion. Bulls Legend Jacory Harris preceded Teddy and went undefeated as a Bull, capturing two straight state titles and the mythical national championship during the 2007 season.
In the 2008 Class 6A state championship game, sophomore Bridgewater hit senior Michalee Harris in stride for a 73-yard touchdown 17 seconds in the game to take a quick lead out the gate. The West would jump out to a quick 21-0 start.
And then, Seminole got in stride with stars Ray Ray Armstrong and Andre Dubose applying the heat.
Sanford Seminole would end the Bulls' hope of repeating as State Champion when Noles star Andre Debose recorded his 3rd Touchdown of the day, an incredible battle catch in the end zone with 33 seconds left to give the Noles a 28-21 lead and ultimately the win for their 1st State Title in school history.
THE VILLE
Bridgewater didn't follow fellow Bulls legend Jacory Harris to hometown University of Miami, due to head coach Randy Shannon being fired. Instead, Bridgewater chose another coach with Florida roots Charlie Strong, and helped to build the starting solid foundation building of the coveted pipeline from the state of Florida to Louisville, producing the future likes of a Heisman trophy winner in Lamar Jackson and other Cardinals stars from Florida like Javian Hawkins (Cocoa).
At Louisville, Bridgewater made his mark as one of the nation's best collegiate quarterbacks. He improved each year in each passing category.
Freshman (2011 Season)
2,129 yards passing, 64.5%, 14 TD, 12 INT
Sophomore (2012 Season)
3,718 yards passing, 68.5%, 27 TD, 8 INT
Junior (2013 Season)
3,970 yards passing, 71.0%, 31 TD, 4 INT
THE LEAGUE
Bridgewater was selected with the last pick of the 1st Round in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
Teddy was in the league for 10 years, playing 7 of those years for various teams, including New Orleans, Carolina, Denver, and Miami.
In his second year in Minnesota, Bridgewater started all 16 games leading the Vikings to 11-5 record, and his second-best statistical passing season with 3,231 yards.
Bridgewater would suffer a horrific knee injury and did not play for the 2016 season. Many doubted his return as a player. After an amazing rehab, Teddy would return to be a viable backup until he got the opportunity and team confidence to run a team.
Teddy would play for the New Orleans Saints, gaining valuable knowledge as a backup to future Hall-of-Famer Drew Brees. In his second season as a Saint, Brees would incur a thumb injury, and Bridgewater would step up to task as the starter, leading NOLA to a 5-0 record while Brees would comfortably recover.
In his sole year in Carolina, Bridgewater passed for a career-best 3,733 passing yards and best by percentage completing 69.1% of his passes.
Bridgewater would then head to Denver for the 2021 season, passing for 3,052 yards and a career-best 18 Touchdowns.
In 2023, Teddy retired from the NFL while playing for the Detroit Lions.
TEDDY LOVES THE KIDS
When Teddy was in the NFL, in different cities across the country, he always chose to give back to the community with his presence. Teddy B serves as a huge inspiration for young ones in the Miami and South Florida area showing that they too can make it to the league.
