The former Trinity Catholic Head Football Coach announced his resignation on November 18:
The Forest (Ocala, Fla.) Wildcats football program is at the beginning of a new era as John Brantley is back to his alma mater.
On Thursday afternoon, The 67-year-old announced “I’m home” as he was named the program’s new head football coach after playing his high school days for the Wildcats.
Brantley played quarterback at Ocala Forest in the 1970s, before going on to play at the University of Florida where he threw for 1,334 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 1978.
Brantley previously at Trinity Catholic, where he spent over two decades whether it was as an assistant or the head coach where he led the Celtics to four state championship game appearances and two state championships. His son, John Brantley IV played quarterback for him in the 2005 Class B State Championship game where they defeated Pahokee, 37-30.
Brantley took over as the Head Football Coach at Trinity Catholic replacing Kerwin Bell in 2010 where he led the Celtics to a state championship, defeating University School (Fort Lauderdale) who was coached by Roger Harriott who is now at St. Thomas Aquinas.
Brantley also led the Celtics to back-to-back state championship game appearances in 2022 and 2023 before losing to First Baptist Academy and Cardinal Mooney. Brantley and his Trinity Catholic Celtics looked to make another deep playoff run in 2024, but their season ended in the regional quarterfinals to Providence (Jacksonville) 26-7 to finish 2-9 on the season.
During Brantley’s tenure with the Celtics, he went 98-48 and reached the regional playoffs seven times, as well as winning the district ten times. He also went an astounding 27-0 against Marion County programs during his tenure.
