Westminster Christian School announced this week that Josh Kirkland will serve as its new head football coach, a move that signals the program’s ambition to blend tradition with fresh energy.
Kirkland arrives after a decade of varied success, having led teams at New Mexico Highlands and Southwestern Oklahoma State before serving as director of player personnel and general manager at the University of North Texas.
His early career includes head coaching stints at Parkland and Lehman high schools in Texas, where his offenses were celebrated for high yardage and player development.
At Westminster, the coach inherits a roster that showed flashes of promise in a spring scrimmage against Coral Shores, a game that highlighted talents such as Ant Vera, Kash Kirkland and Micah Bishop.
The excitement extends beyond the varsity squad; the school’s spring award ceremony recognized standout performances across flag football, softball and weightlifting, underscoring a vibrant athletic culture.
Aubrey Fogel of Loxahatchee Seminole Ridge High School was crowned the 2026 Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Flag Football player, while Hannah DeMarcus from Pace High School earned the Miss Softball honor.
Sebastian Stodel of St. Johns Beachside High School captured the Mr. Weightlifting award, and coach Joe Saucier of Lake City Columbia was named Softball Coach of the Year.
These accolades, highlighted by coach Chris Gauntlett’s Boys’ Weightlifting honor, reflect a community where individual excellence and team ambition reinforce each other.
Kirkland’s appointment is being greeted as a pivotal moment for a program that aims to compete at the regional level while nurturing talent that could attract college scouts.
With a résumé that spans multiple states and a reputation for cultivating offensive talent, the new coach is expected to bring a disciplined yet dynamic approach to practice and game planning.
A new chapter begins
The school’s leadership believes Kirkland’s blend of strategic acumen and player‑focused mentality will help translate the program’s potential into consistent on‑field success.