Miami Northwestern Bulls win state championship under coach Teddy Bridgewater in debut season

After his success in the NFL, former Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater came back to his high school alma mater, Miami Northwestern, as a coach.

During his first year as the school's head coach, he led the Bulls to the Class 3A Florida High School Athletic Association state championship on Saturday. It was not even a close game, as the Northwestern defeated Raines 41-0.

Raines was undefeated prior to the team's scoreless loss to Miami Northwestern, which meant Teddy Bridgewater turned his team's season around in his debut year as a coach. Last year, the school had a 4-6 season in football, and now it finished with a 12-2 record and also as state champions.

The former NFL quarterback was hired by his alma mater last February after retiring as a player in 2023, his most recent stint being with the Detroit Lions.

After a slow start under the new coach, Miami Northwestern ended the season with a 10-game winning streak. The Bulls played five playoff games and the team dominated every single one, outscoring its opponents 262-12 in total.

As a student-athlete for the Miami Northwestern Bulls, Teddy Bridgewater had 6,712 passing yards and 70 touchdowns as a quarterback. He went to Louisville after graduating and was named Big East Rookie of the Year.

He led the Cardinals to win the Sugar Bowl during his junior year and became the MVP. He eventually found his way to the NFL and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014.

Teddy Bridgewater comments on Miami Northwestern winning the state championship

The state championship game was held at the Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Florida. There, Miami Northwestern head coach Teddy Bridgewater commented on winning the Florida Class 3A state championship during his debut season for his alma mater.

"It means a lot to the kids, the school, the community, Liberty City in general," said Teddy Bridgewater, as per The Palm Beach Post. "When Northwestern is doing well, Liberty City is proud. We've been saying this for years and it's great to be back on top."

Bridgewater went to work as soon as he received the coaching job at Miami Northwestern in February. He began a football school for the school's players and this led to spring practice and then fall camp.

He also made players stay at the school for six days so they could get to know each other better and build camaraderie.