Forever a Gator: Chris Leak Donates $10 Million to Gators Organization for St…
He already sounds like a head coach.
“We’re going to be fast, we’re going to be fearless and we’re going to be physical,” former Gators quarterback Chris Leak told the Orlando Sentinel Thursday after he was introduced as the new head coach at Edgewater High in Orlando.
A four-year standout at Florida from 2003-06, Leak returned to UF in 2013 to earn his graduate degree and gain coaching experience.
A year later he spent the 2014 season on Will Muschamp’s staff as receivers coach following the departure of Joker Phillips.
Leak spent last season as a football development and youth outreach coordinator with the Tampa Bay Bucs.
However, Leak had an itch to return to the field and an ideal situation presented itself when Edgewater coach Rick Bedesem left after two seasons at Edgewater to take a job at another school.
Not only is the job a good fit for Leak’s career, it’s a perfect fit for his family.
Leak’s wife, Latria, whom he met at Florida, works for the Orlando Magic and Amway Arena is just a short drive from Edgewater High. The couple has two young daughters and has spent much of the last three years living apart as Leak developed a career beyond his playing days.
Edgewater Athletic Director Janet Rasmussen told the Sentinel that Leak’s background made him an ideal candidate for the job. The Eagles finished 7-4 last season and lost to Gainesville Buchholz in the playoffs.
“One of the first things out of his mouth when he was talking to the students was, ‘I’m going to be here for a long, long time,’ ” Rasmussen said. “Then, he said it again, ‘I’m going to be here a long time,’ and he said it a third time.”
Leak continues to adjust in his first few days on the job and texted Tuesday morning to say he’ll be in touch to discuss his new path.
Look for more on FloridaGators. com later this week.