TAMPA, Fla. - Jake Coulson was simply taking in the All-Star Game action.

And the next thing the Bloomingdale Bulls head coach knew, he was trying on a blazer.
“Just very honored and just blessed,” Coulson said.

Dressed for success, Coulson stood midfield with his fellow Hillsborough County head coaches when his senior Wa’myron Howard grabbed the microphone.

Coulson was crowned the Billy Turner Coach of the Year, an award bestowed upon the county’s top coach. It’s quite an honor considering the talent at the top in Hillsborough County, but Coulson quickly diverted credit to his players.

“Our kids fought and they played with heart and I’m just really proud of them,” Coulson said.

There was plenty to be proud of. Coach Coulson led Bloomingdale to historic heights this season. The Bulls ran through the regular season undefeated, including statement victories over Armwood and Lakeland.

Then they went on a tear in the postseason, advancing to the state semifinals for the first time in school history.

“I would say grit is the word I would use about this year,” Coulson said. “I love our coaches, love our kids and love everything about Bloomingdale.

Coulson can thank his father Rickey for instilling that love in him. This Texas high school coach passed on a passion for football. But more than that. He passed on a passion for making a mark and teaching more than X’s and O’s.

“I want to make a major impact on young people,” he said. “Kids would call my dad that he had coached 15, 20 years down the road and would say, Coach I love you. And I was like, man that’s a cool feeling. I want that feeling.”

For now, Coulson’s feeling appreciated. Billy Turner, the award’s namesake, was a Bay area legend. And Jake Coulson’s forever associated with the former Chamberlain head coach.

“Now I gotta step up and that expectation of me is just higher than it’s ever been before,” he said. “It’s something that I’ll take great pride in and just feel really honored to be the Coach of the Year.