Sources tell Rivals that Teddy Bridgewater is leaving his position as head football coach at Miami Northwestern and pursuing a return to the NFL. The Portal 305 was the first to report Bridgewater’s decision.
Bridgewater’s departure comes three weeks after he was suspended by Northwestern due to allegations of providing impermissible benefits to his players.
Last week, we wrote that Bridgewater returning to the NFL was a possibility if his suspension wasn’t lifted. The longtime NFL signal caller signed with the Detroit Lions late last season less than a week and a half after Northwestern’s state title win.
Highs and lows under Bridgewater
It’s been a whirlwind 18 months for Bridgewater. He made an immediate impact for his alma mater, leading Northwestern to its first state championship since 2019. The Bulls finished the 2024 season ranked No. 6 in Florida, according to the Rivals Composite High School Team Rankings.
It wasn’t all roses in South Beach, though. The Northwestern athletic department released a statement in May distancing itself from comments Bridgewater made on social media expressing support for Carol City principal Bridget McKinney on a video she posted showing her shaking hands with youth football players attending a Chiefs practice.
Then, in July, Bridgewater asked Northwestern fans to help him cover team expenses that were not being paid for by the school. These included $700 per week for Uber rides, $1,300 per week for athletic recovery services and $2,200 per week for pre-game meals during the season.
This post raised eyebrows around the Sunshine State and ultimately led to Northwestern suspending him a week later.
Bridgewater acknowledged the suspension on Facebook:
The suspension came from MNW and it’s impossible to suspend someone who doesn’t work for you. So if im suspended from MNW im free to go to another school of my choice but IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem.
About Miami Northwestern
Expectations are high for the Bulls this season. Starting quarterback Leon Strawder returns after leading Northwestern to a state title and will have five-star Syracuse commit Calvin Russell and FAU pledge Nicsaint Joseph challenging every secondary on the schedule. Northwestern’s defense has future Power Four players at all three levels, with Texas commit James Johnson and Miami commit Jordan Campbell leading the charge up front. Future Pitt Panther Desmond Johnson is set to anchor the team’s linebacking corps, while Florida State pledge Tedarius Hughes anchors the defensive backfield.
The Bulls enter the season ranked No. 4 in Florida, according to the Massey Ratings. They will open the season against Lakeland on Aug. 16 before a high-profile interstate matchup against California power Orange Lutheran on Aug. 23 at Traz Powell Stadium.
