Full Breakdown
Florida Enacts the ‘Teddy Bridgewater Act’ Allowing Coaches to Fund Student-Athlete Needs
5/24/2026, 12:54:17 AM
Law Signed to Permit Coach-Funded Support
On May 24, 2025, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 178—dubbed the ‘Teddy Bridgewater Act’—at Jean Ribault High School in Jacksonville. The law permits public-school head coaches of middle- and high-school teams to spend up to $15,000 of personal funds per team per year on food, transportation and physical-therapy services, with parental consent and full reporting to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). It passed both chambers unanimously.
Origins of the Bridgewater-Inspired Law
Former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater led Miami Northwestern High to a state title in 2024. He was suspended for the 2025-26 school year after a deleted Facebook post showed he paid $700 weekly for Uber rides, $1,300 for recovery services and $2,200 for pre-game meals. The FHSAA ruled those benefits “impermissible,” highlighting a rule that barred coaches from aiding under-privileged athletes.
Numbers at a Glance
The act caps coach-funded support at $15,000 per team annually. Bridgewater reported spending up to $6,000 per week on meals, rides and recovery. Broward County head-coach stipends average $3,038; neighboring states exceed $100,000. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and permits booster-club revenues to raise coach salaries up to the district’s highest administrator pay.
Official Reactions
DeSantis called the measure “positive reform,” noting coaches’ mentorship role and the need to remove rules that blocked coaches who want to help. Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said the changes will give coaches greater flexibility and strengthen student participation. Senator Shevrin Jones emphasized the bill’s aim to provide fairness, accountability and flexibility to student-athletes.
Challenges & Gaps
Analysts warn the law creates a “Pandora’s box” because it lacks robust tracking, risking booster funds exceeding the $15,000 cap. The ban on recruiting-related use may be hard to enforce, and self-reporting could hide violations. Sources also disagree on the bill’s number—some cite SB 178, others SB 58—and on weekly expense totals, which range from $700-$2,200 per item to a combined $6,000 per week. Enforcement details remain unspecified.
Implementation Timeline
The law becomes effective July 1, 2025. Coaches must submit detailed expense reports to the FHSAA each season, and school districts may use booster-club revenues to increase coach salaries within the new cap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida
- “It will recognize that these coaches serve important roles, they're mentors,” — Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida
- “strengthen opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities.” — Anastasios Kamoutsas, Education Commissioner
- “I'm a father first before anything, and when I decided to coach, those players became my sons, and I wanted to make sure that I just protect them in the best way that I can.” — Teddy Bridgewater, former high-school coach
