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Former NFL Quarterback Steps Down as Florida High School Football Coach

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby:Lawrence Fernandez•12/23/24•

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Eric Kresser - Florida High School Football
Former Benjamin High School (FL) head coach Eric Kresser resigns . (© GREG LOVETT/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK)

A Florida high school football job opens after Eric Kresser steps down as the Benjamin Buccaneers head coach. As originally written by Palm Beach Post’s Alexander Peterman, Kresser has informed Athletic Director Ryan Smith of his resignation.

Kresser’s decision ends his seven-year head coaching tenure with the Buccaneers. He replaced 37-year coach Ron Ream in 2018, three years after becoming Benjamin’s offensive coordinator. The former Marshall standout had a 45-28 record as head coach. The Buccaneers went 5-6 in their last season under Kresser, ranking them 95th in the On3 Florida Composite Team Rankings.

Under his guidance, the Buccaneers had four seasons with at least eight victories and five stints in the regional semifinals. Benjamin High School reached the Florida high school football regional finals in 2021.

Kresser’s coaching helped Jordan Travis and Amaree Williams earn the opportunity to play at Florida State. Meanwhile, Kresser also mentored Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam. The Ohio native also influenced the college football destinations of Preston Douglas (North Carolina State), Landon Rapkiewicz (Florida Atlantic), and Josh Smith (Army).

While Eric Kresser was born in Cincinnati, he played Florida high school football for Palm Beach Gardens. He stayed in-state for college football, playing for the University of Florida under coach Steve Spurrier.

Kresser transferred to Marshall during his senior year and won the Southern Conference Championship. With future Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss, Marshall defeated Montana to win the NCAA Division I-AA State Championship. After his stint with the Gators and the Thundering Herd, Kresser went undrafted in the 1997 NFL Draft.

However, the Cincinnati Bengals signed him, and he stayed with the squad for three seasons. He played in only two games, completing ten passes for 164 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

The Bengals sent him to the NFL Europe team Berlin Thunder, where he started in four games before injuring his throwing shoulder. Kresser also played for the Canadian Football League team Montreal Alouettes, which won a Grey Cup in 2002. The Alouettes were the last professional football team he played for.