Bridgewater, who capped off his decades-long career with a trip to the NFC championship game last weekend as Jared Goff’s backup, was announced as the new head coach at Miami Northwestern High School, his alma mater.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell talks with Teddy Bridgewater before the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild-card round of the playoffs at Ford Field on Jan. 14, 2024, in Detroit. (Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
The Florida high school announced the hiring on social media Friday.
The school’s athletic director, Andre Williams, told ESPN Bridgewater has always maintained his relationship with the program and has met with players and coaches.
“Teddy, he never left school,” Williams said. “Since he’s been in the NFL for the last 10 years and he’s definitely in college, he’s always been there during the offseason, working with the young guys, giving them knowledge of the game. He never left school, so we just officially brought him back as head coach.”
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10) during the second half of a game against the Minnesota Vikings in Detroit on Jan. 7, 2024. (Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Bridgewater’s hiring isn’t surprising. He told the Detroit Free Press in December that he would retire from the NFL after this season with the Detroit Lions and was interested in coaching a high school program.
“I’m not worried because he’s always expressed that he wants to come back and coach at his alma mater, Northwestern, and he’s always been there,” Williams told ESPN. “He’s a very humble young man. He rarely shows his emotions, but I’m sure he’s extremely excited. He mentioned he was trying to keep his cool in the announcement not too long ago.”
Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) drops back to pass against the New York Jets during the first quarter of a game, Oct. 9, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Bridgewater played quarterback for Miami Northwestern from 2008-2010 and threw for over 5,000 yards, leading the Bulls to the state finals. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.
