James O'Brien

Florida Coaches Coalition Regional Director - South Florida #PayFLCoaches HC Western Flag Football 2022 State Champs ‘22 Dairy Farmer COY Sentinel 21/22/23 COY

[Florida Coaches Coalition @PayFLCoaches]

You already give everything to your athletes, your school, and your community.

FCC exists so you don't have to fight alone.

Free legal counsel. Job board. Resource library. 17,000+ coaches in your corner.

#PayFLCoaches #FloridaCoaches #BecauseCoachesMatter #FCCMember #CoachCommunity #FCC

[Florida Coaches Coalition @PayFLCoaches]

Real words from a real Florida coach. 🙌

This is why we do what we do.

#PayFLCoaches #FloridaCoaches #CoachTestimonial #MemberSpotlight

[Florida Coaches Coalition @PayFLCoaches]

To every coach who brought home a success this year, we see you. 🏆

Florida high school coaches put in the work that nobody sees to create the moments everyone remembers.

Tag a coach to celebrate them 👇
#FloridaCoaches #FCC #HighSchoolSports #CoachesMatter #Mentorship #FloridaCoachesCoalition #PayFLCoaches #FCC

[Justin Barney @JustinBarneyTV]

As summer workouts begin for HSFB programs in Florida, it's the perfect time to remind folks that the bulk of coaches here work the next one or two months for free. Locally, Columbia, Duval, Nassau & St. Johns pay coaches nothing for summer. Baker, Clay, Flagler pay for 1 month.

[Florida Coaches Coalition @PayFLCoaches]

Summer is officially on the horizon, Florida coaches! ☀️

While it's a time for much needed rest and rejuvenation.
It's also the perfect opportunity to get ahead and strategically prepare for the upcoming season.

By joining the Florida Coaches Coalition (FCC) now, you unlock immediate access to a wealth of resources that can transform your summer prep.

Don't just take a break...
Make it productive
Join the FCC today!

#SummerPrep #FloridaCoaches #FCC #GetAhead #CoachingResources #FloridaAthletics #HighSchoolSports #FHSAA #CoachingSuccess #SupportCoaches #SummerBreak #AthleticDirector

[Florida Coaches Coalition @PayFLCoaches]

Some coaches have already called their Superintendents and demanded districts allow booster pay.

Some coaches have already banded together across their districts and pushed for higher supplements.

The legislation is working exactly the way it was intended to work and it was signed less than a week ago.

Stop being the coach who runs to social media complaining about not having a booster club. Start being the coach who builds relationships with parents and the community to create one.

Stop saying your district would “never” increase supplements if you have not even scheduled a meeting with your Superintendent to hear it directly from them.

You have 2 choices:
Fight for your worth or sit there and accept what you are given.

#PayFLCoaches
#FCC

[Dr. Tim Baghurst @Baghurst]

Coaches are still voicing their opinions about the recent legislation concerning stipends. If you coach in the FL school system, whether public or private, have you shared your thoughts? We're almost at 2,500 responses, but there are 20,000+ coaches. https://t.co/5WCwX6KLeF
@FACACoach @PayFLCoaches @FIAAANews

[Florida Coaches Coalition @PayFLCoaches]

Florida school districts have officially run out of excuses.

The law is signed.
The funding mechanism exists.
And coaches can now legally be compensated through boosters without touching district budgets.

So if a district still chooses to block it, delay it, bury it in policy, or hide behind bureaucracy, understand something clearly:

That is no longer “following the rules.”
That is a choice.

A choice to ignore the people sacrificing nights, weekends, holidays, and time away from their own families to build opportunities for student athletes across this state.

You watched parents fill school board meetings over masks.

You watched communities organize when they felt ignored.

Now imagine what happens when coaches, parents, athletes, alumni, and entire communities realize districts are standing in the way of lawful compensation that costs the district NOTHING.

Florida coaches carried this profession on their backs for decades while districts benefited from the culture, success, and community they built.

Those days are over.
Every district is now on notice.

[James O'Brien @coachob11]

The support from coaches across South Florida has been overwhelming since the bill was signed into law last week!

Coaches make sure your district administrators know where you stand!

@PayFLCoaches

[James O'Brien @coachob11]

RT @PayFLCoaches: While this is a major victory for every coach across the State of Florida, there are certain individuals who went above a…

[Ron DeSantis @RonDeSantis]

One of the bills I signed today allows school boosters to raise money to enhance compensation for coaches.

We can’t keep letting coaches from neighboring states like @3YearLetterman get windfalls while our FL coaches get paltry compensation.

[James O'Brien @coachob11]

A voice spoke up. And Ron DeSantis listened!

Thank you @RonDeSantis

Historic Day today for Florida High School coaches!
@PayFLCoaches

[Ron DeSantis @GovRonDeSantis]

We recognize the value of strong coaches and strive to ensure that student-athletes have the opportunities they need to thrive.

Together, the bills I signed today will strengthen Florida's K-12 athletic programs and support the students and coaches who help them achieve their potential.

[James O'Brien @coachob11]

@WHCoachWhite Let’s go coach!!!

[Florida Coaches Coalition @PayFLCoaches]

Something is happening this morning.

Not a meeting.
Not another announcement.
Something bigger.

For years, coaches have dreamt about this moment.

And TODAY… everything changes.

As soon as the ink dries, a new era begins in Florida.

Stay tuned to your timelines. 👀

[James O'Brien @coachob11]

South Florida Coaches, please fill out the survey!

[Dr. Tim Baghurst @Baghurst]

Last call for FL coaches to share their stipends and the impact they expect HB-731 to have. If you're a FL coach, please complete this brief survey to share your opinions.

https://t.co/ARzD6ogsmQ

@PayFLCoaches @FACACoach @FIAAANews

[Florida Coaches Coalition @PayFLCoaches]

We’re not just talking about change. We’re in the rooms where it happens.

From Tallahassee to your local school board, FCC is fighting for fair pay and resources.

Florida’s coaches are the backbone of our communities. They are mentors, leaders, and role models.

For decades, coaches were told to wait their turn while nobody stepped into the fight. No pressure on teacher unions or school districts. No unified voice. No real action.

If your association had truly been fighting for coaches, it would not have taken 50 years to finally move legislation forward.

Progress doesn’t happen from the sidelines. It happens when people are willing to lead.

#FloridaCoaches
#PayFLCoaches
#BuiltOnProgress
#FloridaCoachesCoalition

[James O'Brien @coachob11]

Congrats to all the @FHSAA State Champion coaches in Track & Field, Cross Country, and Para Track & Field

[Florida Coaches Coalition @PayFLCoaches]

To the mentors behind the medals: CONGRATULATIONS! 🏆

The Florida Coaches Coalition celebrates all the coaches of the 2025 FHSAA State Champions in Track & Field, Cross Country, and Para Track & Field.

Titles are built during early mornings and tough practices. Your dedication shapes champions on the track and leaders in life. We see your hard work, and we are proud to fight for the recognition you deserve.

#FloridaCoaches #FCC #FHSAA #StateChamps #FloridaTrack #FloridaXC #CoachesMatter

[Florida Coaches Coalition @PayFLCoaches]

While everyone else talked… we worked.
From August 2025 until now, we’ve spent every day pushing for coaches across the state of Florida.

Meeting with lawmakers.

Building relationships.

Creating opportunities.

Having difficult conversations nobody else wanted to have.

Not for attention.
Not for credit.
For coaches. 💪

Because while others accepted “the way it’s always been done”… we chose progress.

[Dr. Tim Baghurst @Baghurst]

🚨 Florida Coaches!

FSU is conducting a study on coaching compensation and the impact of Florida House Bill 731.

This 10-minute survey seeks to understand how salaries and stipends for middle and high school athletic coaches may have changed following recent legislative updates. Your insights will help inform research on employment conditions, compensation structures, and the policy implications of school athletics in Florida.

Responses are confidential, and no personally identifying information will be collected.

Participate here: https://t.co/5WCwX6KLeF

We also encourage you to share this invitation with other Florida coaches in your professional network. Thank you for contributing to this important research.

@FACACoach @FL_Coaches @PayFLCoaches @FIAAANews @FHSAA