Miami Northwestern head football coach Teddy Bridgewater acknowledged in a Facebook post late Sunday night that he has been suspended by Miami Northwestern. The suspension comes days after the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) began looking into an allegation that Bridgewater provided impermissible benefits to his players.
An excerpt from Bridgewater post is below:
The suspension came from MNW and it’s impossible to suspend someone who doesn’t work for you. So if im suspended from MNW im free to go to another school of my choice but IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem.
FHSAA official Kelvin Richardson confirmed to Rivals on Monday that the allegation has been sent to Miami Northwestern and the organization is working to gather more information.
Last week, in a post on Facebook, Bridgewater asked Northwestern fans to help him cover team expenses that were not being paid for by the school. These included $700 per week for Uber rides, $1,300 per week for athletic recovery services and $2,200 per week for pre-game meals during the season.
This post raised eyebrows around the Sunshine State. There is recent precedent for the FHSAA punishing programs for players receiving free meals and Uber rides. Last fall, several players at The First Academy were found to have received impermissible benefits, including a free Uber ride. The FHSAA hit the Royals with a two-year postseason ban and a $36,000 fine as a result.
This is Miami Northwestern’s second brush with the FHSAA in as many years. Last season the Bulls were investigated for using an ineligible player but that investigation was ultimately closed.
Highs and lows under Bridgewater
It’s been a whirlwind 17 months for Bridgewater since returning to be the head football coach at his alma mater. He made an immediate impact, leading Northwestern to a 12-2 record and its first state championship since 2019. The Bulls finished the 2024 season ranked No. 6 in Florida, according to the Rivals Composite High School Team Rankings.
It hasn’t all been roses in South Beach, though. The Northwestern athletic department released a statement in May distancing itself from comments Bridge made on social media. Bridgewater expressed support for Carol City principal Bridget McKinney on a video she posted showing her shaking hands with youth football players attending a Chiefs practice.
About Miami Northwestern
Expectations are high for the Bulls this season. Starting quarterback Leon Strawder returns and may be pushed by incoming 2028 transfer Niemann Lawrence. Five-star Syracuse commit Calvin Russell and FAU pledge Nicsaint Joseph will challenge every secondary on the schedule. Northwestern’s defense has future Power Four players at all three levels, with Georgia commit James Johnson and Miami commit Jordan Campbell leading the charge up front. Future Pitt Panther Desmond Johnson is set to anchor the team’s linebacking corps, while Florida State pledge Tedarius Hughes anchors the defensive backfield.
The Bulls enter the season ranked No. 4 in Florida, according to the Massey Ratings. They will open the season against Lakeland on Aug. 16 before a high-profile interstate matchup against California power Orange Lutheran on Aug. 23.
