Former Lions QB Bridgewater named head coach at high school alma mater

Allen Park — Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has wasted little time transitioning into the next phase of life after announcing his plans to retire from the NFL after this season. On Friday, he was named the head football coach at his high school alma mater, Miami Northwestern, athletic director Andre Williams confirmed.

The school had severed ties with former coach Michalee Harris in November, following last season's 4-6 finish. He had been teammates with Bridgewater at the school, playing for Northwestern from 2006-09.

Born and raised in Miami, Bridgewater starred at Northwestern, leading the school to the postseason in three consecutive seasons. In June of last year, he returned to the area when he had a football field named after him at Bunche Park in Miami Gardens.

"It serves just as a place of stability for me. It was always the same," Bridgewater told reports that day. "It was always genuine love. It was always just great energy when I came here, and Bunche Park was just a place of freedom where an innocent child could just come to the park and just be free. It served as a life coach. It opened doors for relationships."

Bridgewater went from Miami Northwestern to the University of Louisville. He continued to produce at a high level and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He'd go on to enjoy a 10-year career, where he started 65 games and threw for 15,120 yards and 75 touchdowns.

He finished his playing career as Jared Goff's backup in Detroit, while also serving as a mentor to a young Lions roster, including rookie quarterback Hendon Hooker and wide receiver Jameson Williams.

"I know I won't play this game forever," Bridgewater said shortly after signing in Detroit in August. "There are certain things in life I can't do forever, so it's like, man, how can I leave an everlasting impact? How can I prepare the next wave of talent, next wave of athletes for what's in store? It's kind of my gift to life. Honestly, just pouring into the younger athletes, the younger players on the team, that's how I stayed blessed, I feel. That's how I keep getting opportunities, of course, outside of what I'm able to do as a football player. ... That's what it's all about for me."

Bridgewater forged a particularly strong bond with Hooker, who is the presumptive favorite to serve as Goff's backup in 2024. The rookie, who spent much of the season on the injured list while recovering from an ACL tear he suffered at the end of his time at the University of Tennessee, gravitated to Bridgewater because of similar backgrounds, experiences and personalities.

Hooker said earlier this week that he intends to spend much of his offseason working out with Bridgewater in Miami, playfully calling the veteran his personal QB coach.

"This is my guy," Hooker said. "This is who I get my wittiness from, and a lot of my game this year has come from him. He's helped me out a lot. I don't see anyone else who has been in my shoes, who can relate to me like Teddy. That's why I'll continue to work with him."

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers