Breaking: Former Florida State tailback James Wilder Jr. named Chamberlain (Florida) head football coach

Wilder Jr. was formerly an assistant at Jefferson and Plant before landing his first head coaching gig

To know where you're going, you need someone who knows how to get you there. 

Chamberlain High School's hopes are a former state and collegiate national champion will be able to take them to heights that haven't seen in quite some time. 

Former Florida State running back James Wilder Jr. confirmed with SBLive Sports Florida on Friday morning that he's been tabbed as the next head football coach at Chamberlain. Wilder Jr. has been an assistant coach previously at Jefferson and Plant before landing his first ever head coaching gig. 

The former star running back on both the high school and college level, Wilder Jr. helped Plant win the Class 5A state championship in 2009 against Manatee. That season, Wilder Jr. rushed for 1,004 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

After his time in South Tampa, Wilder Jr. went on to play at Florida State and helped the Seminoles win the 2014 BCS National Championship 34-31 over Auburn. He also went on to play both in the NFL and CFL before entering the high school football circuit as a coach. 

The Storm hope Wilder Jr. can turn the program's fortunes around as the school has gone through three straight losing seasons, including going winless in 2023. Since the late Billy Turner ended his time as head coach in 2008, the program has endured 10 losing seasons. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl