Florida Governor Signs Teddy Bridgewater Act to Legalise Coach Player Support
Governor Ron DeSantis also signs separate bill allowing school boards to boost coach salaries using voluntary donations, addressing a significant pay gap with neighbouring states.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed the "Teddy Bridgewater Act" into law, establishing a regulated framework that allows high school head coaches to utilise personal funds to cover specific player expenses. The legislation, which received unanimous support through the Florida House and Senate, permits coaches to pay for food, transportation, physical therapy, and rehabilitation services for student athletes.
The law is named after former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, a Florida native who coached his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High, to a state championship in 2024. Bridgewater was subsequently suspended for the 2025 season after disclosing that he had personally funded meals, ride-share services, and treatments for underprivileged players, as well as covering training camp costs and apparel.
DeSantis described the previous regulatory environment as overly restrictive, noting that Bridgewater’s actions were intended to mentor and support students rather than circumvent rules. "He got into this situation where he was paying for meals and rides for some of his players who were underprivileged and he was using his personal funds to do this," DeSantis said, emphasising that the new structure aims to allow coaches to make a positive impact without facing suspension.
Strict conditions accompany the new allowance. The funding is restricted to the team’s head coach, cannot be used for recruiting purposes, and must be reported in full to a state agency. The expenditure is capped at $15,000 per team per year. DeSantis acknowledged potential downsides to unregulated spending but argued that the previous rules failed to account for the benefits of direct coach-player support.
In a separate measure signed on Friday, DeSantis authorised school boards to utilise voluntary donations and revenues from booster clubs to increase coach salaries. This initiative aims to address a significant compensation disparity, with studies indicating that head football coaches in Broward County receive an average stipend of $3,038, compared to over $100,000 in neighbouring states such as Georgia.
Under the new salary legislation, school boards may begin implementing these changes starting July 1. The additional compensation for coaches is capped so that it may not exceed the salary of the highest-paid administrator within the district. Andrew Ramjit, executive director of the Florida Coaches Coalition, welcomed the signing as validation for coaches who have felt undervalued within the public school system.
