‘This is fun’: Ex-Dolphins QB Bridgewater embracing gig as Northwestern football coach
It’s the first day of spring football practice at Miami Northwestern.
Players are grouped at different ends of the field, beginning to run drills under the supervision of their position coaches.
Some have practiced here for multiple seasons. Some are new and still getting acclimated to their teammates and surroundings.
Teddy Bridgewater was one of those young players once, throwing passes and evading pass rushers on that same field nearly 15 years ago.
But a little over half an hour into practice on this hot afternoon, Bridgewater has yet to emerge from the Northwestern locker room.
The 31-year-old, recently-retired, 10-year NFL veteran and former Miami Dolphins quarterback is in the back there making sure players get their helmets fitted right and scribbling down notes for that day’s session.
Finally, Bridgewater appears.
Clad in a tight all-black workout shirt and shorts, Bridgewater is stopped along the path from the locker room to the field by a few parents and supporters of the team from the community on hand to watch.
He’s got an air horn in hand and a growing smile on his face as he squeezes a few quick blows from the horn, prompting every player and coach to rush over to midfield to meet him.
After some quick words, Bridgewater distributes sheets of notes from a folder he’s carrying to his assistant coaches to follow as they conduct practice.
And just like that, Coach Bridgewater begins the next small step in what he hopes will be the rebirth of his alma mater’s proud football tradition.
“This doesn’t even compare with preparing for Aaron Donald and T.J. Watt,” Bridgewater said. “This is fun. This is refreshing.”
Bridgewater, who starred at Northwestern from 2008 to 2010 before a successful college career at Louisville that preceded his pro career, was officially hired as Northwestern’s new coach in late February.
That was a long time coming as he puts it.
This is Bridgewater’s first stint as a head coach at any level.
But it’s not his first time mentoring youth. It’s not even his first time coaching in a practice or game setting.
It’s something Bridgewater said he’s wanted to pursue for over three years - even before he signed with the Dolphins in 2022 and backed up starter Tua Tagovailoa, starting two games and appearing in three others.
“Having the mentors I had, I learned so much,” Bridgewater said. “I just wanted to pour that back to the kids when it was my time.”
Bridgewater takes over a program that not so long ago was among the best in the nation — a program that won eight state titles, including seven FHSAA state championships, from 1964 to 2019.
Last season, a year after cutting ties with former coach Max Edwards, the Bulls went 4-6 and missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.
But Bridgewater is no stranger to overcoming adversity.
A devastating knee injury heading into his third season in the NFL put his career in doubt. But Bridgewater bounced back three years later, making the most of an opportunity he got with the New Orleans Saints, winning all five of his starts in relief of Drew Brees.
Growing up, Bridgewater supported his mother, Rose, through her fight against breast cancer as she raised him and three elder siblings.
Bridgewater tries to share those life lessons with his players and giving back to his community has always been important to him.
Even as his winding NFL career took him from city to city, Bridgewater kept Northwestern close to his heart.
Even on weeks where his team was playing, Bridgewater would frequently attend Bulls games. In recent years, Bridgewater was even seen huddled on the sidelines going over plays with players during huge games against rivals like Miami Central.
After Dolphins games, Bridgewater would often be seen in the locker room wearing a Northwestern T-shirt and even chatting with local reporters about his alma mater and local high school football.
“The guys accepted me,” Bridgewater said. “They had seen me at the parks so they knew me. So when I got the job, they were like ‘Oh, that’s Teddy.’ That’s how I’ve always tried to keep it with them.
“I’m just passionate about that teenage group that’s about to turn into young adulthood. These kids are at a time where they’re going to have to make crucial decisions that could make or break them. The ones who tend to veer off, hopefully we can save those.”
That positive effect has already helped fortify Northwestern’s projected 2024 roster as of this spring.
The Bulls’ returning core is highlighted by wide receiver/quarterback Calvin Russell, who is rated the top prospect in the state for the class of 2026 by 247Sports, and is a multi-sport star, excelling in basketball and track and field.
But an influx of transfers should put the Bulls back in playoff contention quickly.
Four-star junior cornerback J’Vari Flowers and running back King Davis transferred from Central, three-star senior cornerback Tywan Cox transferred in from Chaminade, three-star senior safety Antonio Branch Jr. transferred in from Booker T. Washington and three-star athlete Jade Card transferred in from Miami Norland.
Bridgewater has also brought back multiple Bulls’ alums and some former teammates on his staff.
“It’s one big a– reunion,” Bridgewater said with a smile.
The Bulls are in Class 3A following the state’s realignment making their potential path to the playoffs, and perhaps more, difficult since Central is in their region again. Northwestern will also have to contend with longtime foes like Jackson, which is now coached by Edwards and a team looking to return to prominence much like the Bulls.
“There is no question that the talent the Bulls brought in will elevate this program,” Longtime high school football recruiting analyst Larry Blustein said. “The key for playing for a state title will center around winning. If they win and become one of the best teams in the state, the elite players will continue to come. With programs like Central, Norland and Chaminade all vying for the same players, losing is not an option.”
Bridgewater and his players won’t shy away from the challenge, however, as they have loaded the schedule with tough opponents like Booker T., Miami Columbus, Norland and Coconut Creek.
“It’s a great feeling and doing it my way this time around,” Bridgewater said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
