Brantley steps down as football coach at Trinity Catholic

Trinity Catholic’s head coach John Brantley III, celebrates with the game ball for his 90th win after he was given the ball by Athletic Director Tommy Bond, left, after Trinity Catholic defeated John Carroll Catholic 22-10 in the FHSAA State Semifinal at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.

Trinity Catholic High School announced the departure of John Brantley as its head football coach on Nov. 18. Brantley led Trinity Catholic to a 98-45 record in his two stints as the Celtics’ head coach, including an FHSAA state championship in 2010 and four state finals appearances.

Brantley’s contributions to Trinity Catholic football since 2003 have cemented his legacy as one of Florida’s most accomplished high school coaches. Over the course of his incredible career, Brantley led the Celtics for 12 seasons and enjoyed great success by winning 10 district championships. He had a perfect district record of 27-0 to go with five regional titles.

“I’ve been around Trinity Catholic for 20 years and I’ve always been told you’ll know when it’s time to go and I felt it was my time to leave,” Brantley said Nov. 20. “It’s a great place to work, I was around great people and a lot of great football players. I had great support staff at the school, outstanding assistant coaches and it was the perfect situation for a guy that didn’t even start coaching until he was 42 years old. I gave everything I had to Trinity Catholic and I’m very blessed because we built memories for a lifetime that I will take with me.”

Brantley was quoted in the school’s press release. “Thank you to our sponsors, parents, support staff, and especially Father Pat Sheedy, who made this the best coaching job in the state of Florida. Go Celtics!”

Trinity Catholic’s head coach John Brantley III, left, celebrates with assistant coach JB Bynum, right, after Trinity Catholic defeated John Carroll Catholic 22-10 in the FHSAA State Semifinal at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.

Brantley knows what it takes to be successful on the gridiron as a player and a coach. He played quarterback and led Forest High School to a 13-0 record and the first state football championship in Marion County history in 1974. He then went on to play for the University of Florida. He’s had more than 70 of his players go on to play college football. He helped his players grow personally and athletically. His son, John, played at Trinity Catholic and was a part of the 2005 Class 2B state championship team.

Tommy Bond, who was the Trinity Catholic athletic director from 2008 to 2023, worked closely with Brantley during his time at the school.

“John meant a lot to Trinity Catholic, to the school, not just the football program,” Bond said Tuesday. “He was the face of the football program both times he was here. The impact he had on the kids on and off the field was huge. Coach Brantley has set the bar for success by which all others in this area are measured. Thank you, coach, for all the unforgettable memories over the years. You will be greatly missed.”

Brantley was an assistant coach on Kerwin Bell’s Trinity Catholic staff in 2003. He was the Celtics head football coach from 2008-2014 and then from 2020 until Nov.18.

“It has been an honor to have John Brantley lead our football program,” said Trinity Catholic’s current Athletic Director Mike Young. “I know what goes into leading a program, and it’s so much more than X’s and O’s. Watching him over the past two years, I have grown in appreciation for what he does and has done for Trinity Catholic. He has been more than a football coach—he is one of our greatest ambassadors. He has lived and loved Trinity Catholic, and we are forever grateful.”

Lou Pereira, president of Trinity Catholic High School, talked about Brantley’s broader impact.

“John Brantley is part of the fabric that is Trinity Catholic,” Pereira said. “His contribution to the students at Trinity goes way beyond the football field. It’s in the lives he has helped change over the years that he has been our football coach. I am grateful for him and his family and wish him nothing but happiness and success wherever the next chapter in his life takes him.”

Brantley isn’t sure what the future holds for him but coaching again isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

“It’s probably a little late, but if I thought the right situation was up and I could put a good little staff together, I’d consider it,” the 67-year-old Brantley said. “There are a lot of factors that would have to go in the right direction for me to pull that trigger but never say never. The right situation, I would look at it. But I’m not going to go sit on a couch. I’ve got to do something whether it’s in football or not, I’m going to stay active. This is where I grew up and if I can help some people accomplish some things that I’ve been fortunate enough to do, I’m here for them. I’m looking forward to the next chapter.”

Head coach John Brantley works with his players during practice at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.