Florida signs ‘Teddy Bridgewater Act’ into law

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week signed the “Teddy Bridgewater Act” into law, meaning that high school coaches in the state now can use their own money to help players with expenses such as transportation, food and physical therapy services.

The bill is part of a legislative package that also will allow school districts to boost pay for coaches.

“We recognize the value of strong coaches and strive to ensure that student-athletes have the opportunities they need to thrive,” DeSantis said in a statement May 22. “Together, the bills I signed today will strengthen Florida’s K-12 athletic programs and support the students and coaches who help them achieve their potential.”

The Teddy Bridgewater Act is named for the longtime NFL quarterback who coached Miami Northwestern High School, his alma mater, to a state championship in 2024 but was suspended for the 2025 season after revealing he paid for meals, ride-share services and treatment for some players.

Under the new law, K-12 coaches can use up to $15,000 in personal funds per year to support student-athlete welfare, and coaches will be required to report the use of personal funds to the Florida High School Athletic Association.

“Florida is fortunate to have athletic coaches who lead exceptional sports programs in our high schools,” Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas said. “Thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis signing Senate Bills 538 and 178 into law, Florida’s high school athletic programs will be better positioned to recruit and retain top coaching talent while ensuring student-athletes receive the strong, thoughtful and accountable support they deserve.

“In addition, students participating in any of Florida’s nation-leading school choice options will have the same access to participate in athletic programs and extracurricular activities. These measures will strengthen opportunities for students to compete, grow and succeed both in athletics and in life.”

As part of the legislation, districts are allowed to use funds raised from high school booster clubs for activities to pay the coaches of those activities, supplementing their district stipends. Additionally, school districts are authorized to classify athletic coaches and activity sponsors as administrative personnel and negotiate salary compensation that may not exceed the highest paid school administrator in the district.

The law is also meant to address eligibility and transfer requirements. “Eligible student” framework will be developed for home education, charter, private, virtual, alternative and traditional public school students, and students are now authorized to participate in a sport at another school in their district if their current school does not offer the sport.

“Today is more than the signing of a bill. Today is validation for thousands of coaches who spent years feeling ignored, undervalued and pushed to the side within our public schools,” Florida Coaches Coalition Executive Director Adnrew Ramjit told the Associated Press.