Florida high school football coach of 24 years stepping down

After 24 years guiding the Orlando Timber Creek football program, Jimmy Buckridge decided this summer was time to hang up his coaching whistle.

According to a press release by Timber Creek’s athletic website, Buckridge is stepping down as head coach of the Wolves. Over the course of his 24 seasons in leading the program, Buckridge went 145-112 along with five district championships and four metro titles.

‘Timber Creek’s Head Football Coach Jimmy Buckridge is stepping down as the head coach after 24 years at the helm.  Coach Buckridge is the only Timber Creek Head Coach since the school opened.  He has coached 257 games, winning 145 of them.  Coach Buckridge built the program from the ground up and turned it into a well-respected program on the east side.  The Wolves were District Champs in 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2021.  They were Metro Champs in 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2019.  Buckridge dedicated countless hours to developing many of his players into collegiate athletes; some even made it to the pros.  He ran a classy program, making sure his players knew how to play with discipline and respect the game. His players also knew he was there to support them and help build their confidence to play the game. Timber Creek will forever be in debt to Coach Buckridge for all he has done for this program.  He will continue teaching at TC and remain the Girls Flag Football Head Coach.  Thank you, Coach Buckridge, for 24 great years of dedication to our Athletes and the Football program. We will miss you on the sidelines on Friday Night.‘

Since going 8-4 and reaching the postseason back in the 2021 season, Timber Creek has taken a tumble as region foes have strengthen around them.

From 2022-24, the Wolves have gone 12-18 with no playoff berths in the past three seasons. Reason being for that may be the ever-changing landscape of high school football in the Central Florida region.

Timber Creek isn’t the only school in the 407 that’s seen plenty of change occur as the 3-time state champion Apopka Blue Darters are another that can attest to the new environment.

Jeff Rolson stepped down as Apopka’s head football coach back in late May after a 31-14 loss to Orlando Jones in the spring.

Since his departure, according to a report by the Apopka Chief, more than 20 players have left the Blue Darters, which played a major role in Rolson stepping down himself as head coach.