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Florida coaching updates: Curt Bradley leaves Braden River for Southeast

After 12 seasons with the Pirates, Bradley departs to take the same gig with the Seminoles
Andy Villamarzo|
Florida coaching updates: Curt Bradley leaves Braden River for Southeast
Florida coaching updates: Curt Bradley leaves Braden River for Southeast

When Southeast High School began its coaching search, it didn’t begin with the candidate that they ended up selecting. 

The head coach the Seminoles decided on resided just under six miles away in distance between the previous school he led. 

On Thursday, according to a report by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Dennis Maffezzoli, Southeast selected Braden River High School’s Curt Bradley as their next head football coach from a poll of around 60 applicants. 

The selection comes as somewhat of a surprise when taking a look at the two programs in recent memory. Bradley’s overall record through 12 seasons with the Pirates is 74-55, with a regional championship under his belt. 

Over the last two seasons for Southeast, it’s been rough for the program that was once a state power out of Manatee County. The Seminoles are a combined 1-18 record between 2022-2023. 

“There is nothing against Braden River,” Bradley said in the report. “Coach Bob Bowling took a chance on me at 26 years old. I’m forever grateful. I met my wife at Braden River and became a husband and a father at Braden River. I’m incredibly thankful and grateful to Braden River High School.”

Innovation High School chooses former The First Academy head coach Leroy Kinard as lead man 

The first-ever head coach in Innovation High School history will be a familiar name to the Orlando area. 

Former The First Academy head coach Leroy Kinard has been tabbed as the program’s lead man, per an announcement by the school. 

Kinard is no stranger to the area as the former Royals’ head coach tallied 126 wins and 13 playoff appearances during his time at The First Academy. 

The new Bulls’ head coach has seven district championships under his belt, is a member of the West Orange Hall of Fame and played in the NFL for the New York Jets in the early 1990’s. 

Longtime Plantation head coach Steve Davis retires 

It’s been a long time coming for Plantation head coach Steve Davis. 

After 28 seasons as a head coach in South Florida, Plantation head coach Steve Davis will be retiring, according to Sleeper Athletes on Thursday afternoon. 

Davis has coached from 1998-2023 between Blanche Ely and Plantation, compiling an overall record of 175-85, winning a state championship in 2002. 

Ridgeview names Merlin Smith as head football and wrestling coach 

Years of success at Oakleaf Jr. High School has led to multiple head coaching opportunities for Merlin Smith. 

Smith was named the new head football, wrestling coach at Ridgeview High School. The Panthers have fallen on hard times the last three seasons, compiling an overall record of 3-27. 

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Andy Villamarzo
ANDY VILLAMARZO

Andy Villamarzo has been a sports writer in the Tampa Bay (FL) Area since 2007, writing for publications such as Tampa Bay Times, The Tampa Tribune, The Suncoast News, Tampa Beacon, Hernando Sun to name a few. Andy resides out of the Tarpon Springs, FL area and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in the summer of 2022 covering the Tampa Bay Area. He has quickly become one of Florida's foremost authorities on high school sports, appearing frequently on podcasts, radio programs and digital broadcasts as an expert on team rankings, recruiting and much more.

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