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Florida Department of Education sends letter after Bridgewater suspension

IMG_8358by: Andy Villamarzo07/23/25Andy_Villamarzo
Miami (Fla.) Northwestern HC Teddy Bridgewater
© Chet Peterman / Special to The Post / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Florida Department of Education has inserted itself into the suspension of Miami Northwestern head coach Teddy Bridgewater. Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas posted a letter on X, formerly known as Twitter, addressed to the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Executive Director Craig Damon.

Kamoutsas did not refer to Bridgewater by name in his letter, but tells Damon in the letter that the FHSAA should review all governing body’s policies regarding “a volunteer coach” being suspended for providing impermissible benefits to students in violation of FHSAA Administrative Policy.

“Florida is the school choice state, and as such, we must allow flexibility to maximize fairness and competition for our student athletes while ensuring that safeguards remain to prohibit illegal recruiting. That is why I sent a letter directing @FHSAA to review all of its policies and ensure that we are providing every allowable opportunity for our student athletes.“

The letter by Kamoutsas says the following to Damon in its entiriety:

It has been brought to my attention that a volunteer coach was recently suspended for providing impermissible benefits to students in violation of Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)
Administrative Policy. Let us use this instance to reflect on FHSAA policies on the whole and whether they are serving the needs of student athletes. I believe many of the FHSAA’s policies may be antiquated and out of step with the current landscape of school choice in Florida. Pursuant to my authority in section 1006.20(2), Florida Statutes, I direct the FHSAA to review its policies and ensure a common sense approach to support student athletes and families, while ensuring safeguards remain to prohibit illegal recruiting. We must allow flexibility to maximize fairness, competition and opportunity for our student athletes. Your immediate attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

Bridgewater suspended after Facebook post

Bridgewater acknowledged in a Facebook post over a week ago that he had been suspended by his alma mater Miami Northwestern.

The suspension had come just days after the FHSAA begun looking into an allegation that Bridgewater provided impermissible benefits to his players.

FHSAA official Kelvin Richardson confirmed to Rivals last week that the allegation has been sent to Miami Northwestern and the Gainesville-based organization is working to gather more information surrounding the topic of impermissible benefits.

What sparked the interest of the FHSAA was a social media post by Bridgewater back on July 8, with the free agent NFL quarterback explaining that he had personally spent $14,000 last year on Miami Northwestern’s training camp. Bridgewater also said he covered player Uber rides ($700/week), athletic recovery services ($1,300/week) and pre-game meals ($2,200/week), among other things.

Bridgewater asked Northwestern fans to help him cover team expenses that were not being paid for by the school. During his time in the NFL, Bridgewater has earned more than $65 million since he was selected out of Louisville in the 2014 NFL Draft. His career includes stops with the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins and most recently, the Detroit Lions. 

In February of 2024, Bridgewater took over at Miami Northwestern and made an immediate impact leading the way. He guided the Bulls to a 12-2 record and their first state championship since 2019.

The defending FHSAA Class 3A champions enter the season with high expectations, ranked No. 4 in Florida, according to the Massey Ratings. They will open the season against Lakeland in a preseason classic on Aug. 16 before a high-profile interstate regular season opening matchup against California power Orange Lutheran on Aug. 23.