Miami Jackson HS hires 1st female head football coach in Florida history
PUBLISHED
Tue, Feb 9, 2016 2:28 PM
MIAMI -- Miami Jackson Senior HS has made Florida history. The Generals introduced Lakatriona Brunson as their new head football coach at a press conference on Monday.
Coach Brunson is the first female Head Football Coach in Florida's rich and storied history of high school football.
Brunson will replace former Jackson head coach, Earl Little. Little resigned after going 9-11 after two years with the Generals. The 9 year NFL vet and former UM star guided the Generals to to a 6-5 record, a playoff appearance, and a big Soul Bowl win in his first season as Miami Jackson head coach in 2014.
But after reclassification, District 5A-16 got a little tougher with Broward teams Hallandale, Coconut Creek, and Stranahan joining, and Key West exiting to join the independent GCFC.
Miami Jackson finished a disappointing 3-6 in 2015 and no repeat trip to the playoffs. But the Generals were competitive, and their highlight of the season was knocking off Class 4A State Champs, Booker T. Washington, 38-35 early in the season. The Generals also beat a Coconut Creek team loaded with All-Americans in a key district game late in the season. But, the Generals lost key district games, namely a 3-0 loss to Cardinal Gibbons and a loss to eventual playoff contender Hallandale, who advanced to the 2nd round, losing a tight 51-46 battle to eventual 5A state champs, Orlando Bishop Moore. The Generals came up short at the end, losing in Miami-Dade's Soul Bowl 33-14 to a Miami Northwestern team that also missed the playoffs.
Brunson, Campbell, and staff will look to rebound in the 2016 season. The Generals will look to unseat American Heritage or Hallandale as a playoff representative for District 5A-16. And the Soul Bowl will probably be more LIVE than ever, as the world glances on how Florida's first female varsity head football coach will fare at the end of her inaugural 2016 regular season.
PROFILE
Lakatriona Brunson
High School: Miami Northwestern Bulls (c/o 1995), starred in basketball and track and field
College: Tennessee State University, played basketball
Professional: Miami Fury Football (Independent Women's Football League)
Brunson is the Physical Education teacher at Miami Jackson
Visit Miami Jackson Generals Football Team Hub
Coach Brunson is the first female Head Football Coach in Florida's rich and storied history of high school football.
New Miami Jackson head coach Lakatriona Brunson and defensive coordinator Luther Campbell. pic.twitter.com/jTpJpVjYoM
— David Furones (@DavidFurones90) February 8, 2016
"Today is historic for not only Florida but for Miami Jackson"
- Lakatriona Brunson, new Miami Jackson varsity head football coach
Brunson will replace former Jackson head coach, Earl Little. Little resigned after going 9-11 after two years with the Generals. The 9 year NFL vet and former UM star guided the Generals to to a 6-5 record, a playoff appearance, and a big Soul Bowl win in his first season as Miami Jackson head coach in 2014.
But after reclassification, District 5A-16 got a little tougher with Broward teams Hallandale, Coconut Creek, and Stranahan joining, and Key West exiting to join the independent GCFC.
Miami Jackson finished a disappointing 3-6 in 2015 and no repeat trip to the playoffs. But the Generals were competitive, and their highlight of the season was knocking off Class 4A State Champs, Booker T. Washington, 38-35 early in the season. The Generals also beat a Coconut Creek team loaded with All-Americans in a key district game late in the season. But, the Generals lost key district games, namely a 3-0 loss to Cardinal Gibbons and a loss to eventual playoff contender Hallandale, who advanced to the 2nd round, losing a tight 51-46 battle to eventual 5A state champs, Orlando Bishop Moore. The Generals came up short at the end, losing in Miami-Dade's Soul Bowl 33-14 to a Miami Northwestern team that also missed the playoffs.
Brunson, Campbell, and staff will look to rebound in the 2016 season. The Generals will look to unseat American Heritage or Hallandale as a playoff representative for District 5A-16. And the Soul Bowl will probably be more LIVE than ever, as the world glances on how Florida's first female varsity head football coach will fare at the end of her inaugural 2016 regular season.
"We're just here to change the atmosphere around here at Miami Jackson and get some W's on the board... I know I can do it"
- Lakatriona Brunson, new Miami Jackson varsity head football coach
PROFILE
Lakatriona Brunson
High School: Miami Northwestern Bulls (c/o 1995), starred in basketball and track and field
College: Tennessee State University, played basketball
Professional: Miami Fury Football (Independent Women's Football League)
Brunson is the Physical Education teacher at Miami Jackson
Visit Miami Jackson Generals Football Team Hub