Breaking: Jay Fulmer named new head football coach at Sunlake (Florida)

The former Gulf/Ridgewood head coach compiled a record of 47-66 between the two schools

LAND O’ LAKES, FLORIDA- Just 11 days ago, Sunlake High School parted ways with BJ Hall as its head football coach. 

They have now tabbed his replacement in the last week of school for students in Pasco County. In an email obtained by SBLive Sports, former Gulf/Ridgewood head coach Jay Fulmer has been named the new lead man at Sunlake. 

Fulmer went 47-66 in his 11 seasons with the Buccaneers and Rams, leading Gulf to the playoffs in 2006 and 2008. As of recent, Fulmer had been the head coach of the football team at Bayonet Point Middle School. The email included a statement from Fulmer to his new team as he takes over the Seahawks. 

“I am very excited and honored to be the new Head Football Coach at Sunlake High School. I understand the Seahawks family has faced adversity for quite some time now. I want everyone involved, players, parents, faculty, and student body, to rest assured that I'm here to help. I will work nonstop to ensure progress and renewed excitement. We will all think of each other as family. My staff and I will make decisions that are in the best interest of the program at all times.” - Fulmer 

Fulmer, 16th most winningest coach in Pasco County history, first began his coaching tenure in Pasco County in 2005 and coached players like Alton Voss, Adrian ‘Bubba’ Golden, Leon Orr and Madison Burr. 

He will need to bring some stability to a Sunlake football program that’s seen a lot of movement when it comes to the head coaching position. The school had hired Hall and Allen Suber II previously, with the two combining to coach in a total of two regular season games. 

Suber II, who was dismissed as head coach at Sunlake on Sep. 6th, is now the offensive coordinator at Wharton High School, went 1-1 in two games before Sunlake principal Kara Merlin parted ways with the former Bethune-Cookman associate head coach. 

Hall had been fired as head coach at Sunlake in the aftermath of a brawl that occurred on May 1st between two assistant coaches at the school. Hall was hired as Sunlake’s head coach on Dec. 13, 2022 after being an assistant at Zephryhills Christian Academy during the 2022 season.

The sudden coaching instability at Sunlake is in stark contrast to the leadership provided by the program's founder, Bill Browning. Browning led the Seahawks for 13 seasons posting a record of 73-53, which included seven winning campaigns and four postseason berths.

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.