<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=29IERJ_0tHMTQlC00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=29IERJ_0tHMTQlC00" width="1780" height="1002" ><figcaption>Former Gulf and Ridgewood head football coach Jay Fulmer is looking to stabilize Sunlake and get the program back on track after some difficult seasons. Photo by DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD/Tampa Bay Times</figcaption></figure>LAND O’ LAKES — It’s been a rough go for the Seahawks.Ever since the father of the football program, Bill Browning (73-53), retired in 2018, the team hasn’t seen a winning season, or even been considered a competitive program due to multiple coaching changes and even controversies.But finally, after winning just 10 games in the past five seasons, Sunlake seems to be back on track, especially now that longtime Pasco County football coach Jay Fulmer is leading the way.Fulmer, who took over in May 2023, led the Seahawks to a 1-9 record last season, owns a career mark of 92-127 and has a history of resuscitating beleaguered programs. “I’m hooked on teal,” he said, citing one of the school’s colors. “I love it. It's probably my favorite color I’ve been a part of.”As to the past five seasons, “I wasn’t here,” Fulmer said, “so I can’t speak as to what was going on, but whatever it was, it also wasn’t working. So, it was about getting some stability in this thing, just so kids know that you’re not going anywhere and that when they come in tomorrow, you’re going to be here.“They know coach Fulmer is here, and we’re going to work on this together.”Fulmer becomes Sunlake’s fourth coach (including one interim) since the 2022 season. He replaces B.J. Hall, who was dismissed in the wake of a May 2023 altercation that occurred during a practice in front of roughly 70 players. At the time, according to the Tampa Bay Times, one assistant coordinator blindsided another during an offense-versus-defense drill that got heated, resulting in injuries that required medical attention.Fulmer is best known for taking over a Gulf football program in 2005 that had previously never reached the postseason. In 2008, his Buccaneers team (10-2) achieved the school’s lone 10-win season, reaching the Class 3A region semifinals.He resigned in 2010 amid scrutiny over some student-athlete transfers, but took over Ridgewood High’s football program in 2012 until 2018, when the school closed and reopened as a technical school with no athletic teams.Following Ridgewood, Fulmer would do a little coaching here and there, including helping former Wiregrass Ranch coach Tico Hernandez at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic in Spring Hill, as well as coaching Bayonet Point Middle for two seasons.“I am glad to be back,” Fulmer, 57, said. “I have bounced around a lot, but this is my last bounce.”Like a punt that stopped at the one-yard line, this is a good bounce for Sunlake — as well as Fulmer.While the team struggled in 2023, being outscored 413-68, only beating Wesley Chapel, another 1-9 team, Fulmer has stressed not only stability for the team and its players, who still come out in ideal numbers.“We considered going independent, which other teams have done (to rebuild programs),” Fulmer said, “but we think we can be competitive, especially now that we’re not locked into a two-year (schedule).”Fulmer is referring to how teams lock into a two-year, home-and-away agreement to play each other, to fill out the rest of their schedules beyond the district opponents they are required to play.Sunlake, however, is in the tough Class 6A-District 9, which includes Mitchell, Wiregrass Ranch and Butter Bowl and nearby rival Land O’ Lakes. But the Seahawks, last season, were still locked into playing teams such as Palm Harbor (35-2), Hudson (54-6), Nature Coast (42-0) and Tallahassee Chiles (44-14).Sunlake can now pick and choose a more favorable schedule that includes more comparable opponents.“That (2023) schedule was not made for the kids that are here — and because we’re 1-9, a lot of teams are still calling us up, wanting us to be their homecoming game,” Fulmer said. “We have those three district games that we know are going to be tough as crap, but we’re going to battle.”Moving forward, though, Sunlake returns some talent, as well as adding some through transfers.The 6-foot-2 Ty Webster, a Plant transfer, looks to take over under center, while Wesley Chapel transfer, Brandon McEachern, who missed last season with a broken collarbone, will back Webster up.Fulmer is also expecting big things from both the offensive and defensive lines.“They’re all way stronger and know way more than last year,” he added. “They were big kids last year, but they’re just bigger and stronger this year.”All that being said, Fulmer and company are keeping expectations even-keel. As he sees it, there’s no reason to rush the rebuild, especially since he knows these things take time.“The kids don’t need the pressure and the high expectations,” Fulmer said.“We’re shooting for .500 — anything is better than what we’ve had before, and, of course, everyone is looking to be competitive. If we go out and win five games, then we know we’re on the right track here.”</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Sunlake football’s future finally looks bright under Fulmer, new leadership

LAND O’ LAKES — It’s been a rough go for the Seahawks. Ever since the father of the football program, Bill Browning (73-53), retired in 2018, the team hasn’t seen a winning season, or even been considered a competitive program due to multiple coaching changes and even controversies.

Sunlake football’s future finally looks bright under Fulmer, new leadership

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