John Brantley named Forest High football coach

Forest High School alumni and former Trinity Catholic head coach John Brantley is shown working with TCHS players as they played Forest during a football game at FHS in Ocala on Sept. 6, 2024. Brantley, on Dec. 12, was named head coach at Forest. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Forty-nine years later, John Brantley III is returning to his alma mater to coach the Forest High School football team.

Brantley, a 1975 Forest graduate, knows what takes to be successful 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 coached at Trinity Catholic High School two different times and helped the Celtics become a perennial powerhouse that won a state championship in 2010. Brantley stepped down as head coach at Trinity Catholic on Nov. 18.

Former Forest head football coach Eoghan Cullen resigned recently and the administration began a search that attracted more than 50 applicants for the coveted head coaching position of the Wildcats. When it came down to it, Brantley was the choice.

“It’s a good day for Forest High School,” said Wildcats athletics director Skip Austin. “Coach Cullen stepped down at the end of the season and we opened the position up and we had over 50 candidates apply. We whittled it down and after interviews and everything, we felt he (Brantley) was the right fit for the job.”

The Class 6A Wildcats went 2-8 this season and 12-18 in three years under Cullen. Building Forest back up to prominence is the goal for Brantley and the staff he puts together.

“That’s his (Brantley) driving force, is to right the ship here at Forest and get it back to where it needs to be,” Austin said.

Brantley met with the team on Dec. 12 and the players were anxious to meet their new head coach. After the Christmas break, the Wildcats will begin their off-season conditioning under a new regime.

“John met with the players and they were excited,” Austin said. “He brings instant credibility with his track record. He has talked to a few coaches and is looking at putting a staff together. His commitment to the weight room and getting our kids stronger, bigger and faster is going to be important. I believe we’re headed in the right direction.”

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.

Coming back to Forest and turning the football program is something the 67-year-old Brantley is looking forward to.

“To get an opportunity to go full circle, go to school here, win a state championship and then come back and hopefully finish my coaching career here at Forest is really special,” Brantley said. “I was excited before I met with the players today and after meeting with a little more than 100 kids, I’m even more excited. I think we’re off to a good start and we’ll get back together and start weight training after the first of the year. It’s a great day to be a Wildcat.”

Having several months to change the culture and implement his offense and defense before spring practice begins is important to having success during the season. Brantley is going to take his time hiring a staff.

“There’s no secrets, there’s no shortcuts, you have to work,” Brantley said. “You have to get your mind set to do the things that win championships. That’s the only way I know how to coach. I’m not going to go crazy hiring coaches just to be hiring someone. I’ve talked to a couple of guys, but I’m going to take my time.”

Brantley, whose wife was a cheerleader and also graduated from Forest, has proven you can go home again.

“It’s good to be home,” the Wildcats coach said. “My family and I are thrilled and just walking the halls at Forest today meant a lot to me. I’ve gotten a lot of calls and responses from people in the community and there’s a ton of support out there. We want to get them on board and back in the stadium on Friday nights.”