Matt Brunson, a longtime football coach from Baker, Florida, will soon be honored by the Florida High School Athletic Association as he joins its Hall of Fame this September.
Brunson’s football roots stretch back to the early 1980s, when he was a standout member of the three‑peat Gators teams that dominated high school play from 1983 to 1985. As a player he helped Troy State capture a national championship in 1987, and later served as an assistant on the 1993 state‑title squad.
A Culture Builder on the Field
Transitioning to the sidelines, Brunson built a reputation for turning programs into winners. He has amassed six state championships across three roles — player, assistant and head coach — and guided Baker to a 27‑14 victory over Hawthorne for the 1A crown in 2020. His teams have contested 14 region finals and earned eight trips to the state championship game, including undefeated 14‑0 runs in 2016 and 2020.
Beyond the trophies, Brunson prides himself on instilling a winning culture at his alma mater. This season the Bears finished 12‑1 and advanced to the Elite Eight, a testament to the program’s sustained excellence under his guidance.
In September he will travel to Gainesville with his family to attend the induction ceremony, where the Hall of Fame will recognize his contributions to the sport.