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Florida high school football coach steps down after 15-year career

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by:Keegan Pope•11/18/24•

bykeeganpope

Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Trinity Catholic head coach John Brantley coaches before the game as Trinity Catholic takes on Holy Trinity in opening playoff round of the 2023 FHSAA Football State Championships at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, FL on Friday, November 17, 2023. [Alan Youngblood/Ocala Star-Banner]

There is another head coach opening in Florida high school football — Ocala Trinity Catholic‘s John Brantley announced that he was stepping down on Monday after more than 20 years with the program.

Brantley, who started as an assistant in 2003, was part of two state championship teams for the Celtics — one as an assistant coach in 2005 and another as head coach in 2010.

He helped establish Trinity Catholic as a football power during his time, which also included a runner-up finish in 2008.

“It has been a privilege to be part of the Trinity Catholic Football Program since 2003,” he wrote on Twitter. “Worked with so many great players and coaches who won Championships and built memories for a lifetime! Thanks to our sponsors, parents, support CELL staff and especially Father Pat Sheedy who made this the best coaching job in the State of Florida. Go Celtics!!!”

His son, also named John, played on the 2005 team that won a state championship and won the Gatorade National Player of the Year award before going on to play at Florida.

Brantley Sr. finishes with an overall coaching record of 104-48, with 98 of those wins coming at Trinity Catholic. He led the program from 2008-14 before stepping down a first time, then returned in 2020 to take over for Andrew Thomas, who left for Union County.

During his first stint, Trinity Catholic won the district title and made the state playoffs every year and went 27-0 in district play.

He ultimately led the program to 10 district titles, five regional titles, a state championship and more than 70 of his players have moved on to play at the next level during his tenure.

The Celtics (2-9) finished the 2024 with a loss in the Class 1A playoffs after making it to the Class 1S state championship games in 2022 and 2023.