Former Miami Northwestern High School coach Teddy Bridgewater has been suspended for the entirety of the 2025-26 academic year for providing unauthorized benefits to athletes, as reported by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) on Friday. Bridgewater departed from the Northwestern coaching staff in August to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he is currently the backup to Baker Mayfield.
The FHSAA also imposed a reprimand on Northwestern, along with a $2,500 fine against the school, of which only $250 will be retained by the school provided no further violations occur.
Northwestern had suspended Bridgewater earlier in July following his acknowledgment on social media that he spent $700 weekly on rides for his players during the 2024 season. Additionally, he reported an expenditure of $14,000 for a four-night pre-season camp, $9,500 on team-branded clothing, $1,300 weekly for recovery services following games, and $2,200 for pre-game meals. He even solicited donations for the Northwestern football program through his post.
“I’m protective, and I’m a father first before anything,” Bridgewater stated during his introductory media session in Tampa Bay. “When I chose to coach, those players became my sons. I aimed to look after them the best I could, particularly because Miami Northwestern is situated in a challenging neighborhood where dangers may arise when kids are walking home. I simply sought to provide them safe transport instead of risking dangerous walks home.”
Bridgewater earned the title of Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year in 2024 after guiding Northwestern to a Florida Class 3A state championship, ending with a 12-2 record while dominating various playoff matches leading up to their state title. This season marked his only one at Northwestern and his sole coaching experience.
Although he had announced retirement from the NFL in February 2024 before accepting the coaching role, Bridgewater returned to play at the end of the high school football season when the Detroit Lions signed him for the conclusion of their 2024 campaign. He participated in a divisional playoff game against the Washington Commanders when Jared Goff momentarily left for concussion evaluation.
Teddy Bridgewater is a former first-round draft pick and a Pro Bowler in 2015, now in his 12th season with the NFL, previously representing teams like the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, and Miami Dolphins.
