New Boca Ciega Football Coach Excited to Begin Practice

It's hard to tell just who is more excited these days: Boca Ciega High School's football players as they chomp at the bit to begin spring practice -- which starts in a few days -- or Boca Ciega's new coach, who is equally eager to hit the field.

Antez Brinson is the Pirates new football coach hired earlier this winter to replace Stevie Thomas. Brinson, the former offensive coordinator at Lakewood, is not just busy getting his team prepared to begin practice, but to assemble a coaching staff and hang a shingle outside his office door.

"We’re just trying to get our feet up," Brinson said. "The players have to get used to the way we work and our expectations. But the players have been great. They are very receptive to coaching. They're just hungry to get out on the field."

Though Brinson is a former offensive coordinator, it's not like he is pigeon-holed. In past years he has spent seasons as a coach at various positions on both sides of the ball.

"But I'm smart enough to know that you get your best player at quarterback," Brinson said.

If Brinson has a philosophy, it seems that it is simplicity. He believes often high school players are bogged down with too complicated schemes and systems, that the players are thinking more than they are playing. Brinson wants the players to use their talent and play football, not to be overwhelmed by cumbersome tactics.

"We want to keep things to where all the players can play fast," Brinson said. "There are a lot of coaches with a lot of fancy and exotic schemes, especially for high school students. We just want to keep it simple. The players can relate to simple football."

So what kind of football can fans expect from Brinson? Depends on the talent he has on the roster. Many coaches have specific styles and try to fit the players to adapt to that style. Not Brinson, he’ll craft his style to best flaunt the talents of his players.

“We’ll have to feel it out,” Brinson said. “It’s tough to determine now because we are just in shorts and T-shirts. Some players won’t shine or come alive until you put the plastic on. We’ll have to hammer down what we can and can’t do on both sides of the ball.”