Origin: From Hashtag to Movement
In December 2021, Dr. Andrew Ramjit—then a County Athletic Director in Brevard County—sparked a powerful grassroots movement with a single tweet under the rallying cry #PayFLCoaches. His message highlighted how many school coaches were earning the equivalent of $2/hour due to outdated supplemental pay systems that failed to reflect the rising cost of living, and the workload involved.
That tweet gained viral traction, drawing attention from coaches, educators, and media across the state. It quickly evolved into the Florida Coaches Coalition (FCC), with a clear purpose: to advocate for fair coach compensation, professional development, and improved working conditions across high school, middle school, and youth sports. Organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the FCC foregrounds respect and equity for all Florida coaches.
Growth: Building the Largest Coaching Network
The coalition expanded rapidly, reaching over 16,000 members representing more than 1,200 teams across Florida, a testament to its resonance and urgency.
Operating from its Orlando-based headquarters, FCC built a statewide network with regional chapters, membership tools, advocacy programs, and public visibility through social media and their website.
Advocacy & Legislative Campaigns
A. Tallahassee Push & Proposed Legislation
By early 2025, FCC had turned its attention to formal legislative action. FCC leaders—including Dr. Ramjit, FIU head coach Willie Simmons, and former NFL fullback Mike Alstott—met with lawmakers in Tallahassee to advocate for compensation reform
In April 2025, optimism grew that legislation would be ready by January 2026. The proposed bill would set coach pay at least minimum wage ($15/hour, effective September 2026), with structured stipends depending on sport and role
Details of the stipend proposal included:
- Head football coaches: 1,500 hours → $22,500/year
- Football coordinators (offensive/defensive): 1,000 hours → $15,000/year
- Head coaches in baseball, basketball, softball, volleyball: 750 hours → $11,250
- Head coaches in soccer, cheerleading, wrestling, track, lacrosse, swimming: 500 hours → $7,500
- Coaches in sports like water polo, cross country, golf, tennis, flag football, weightlifting, bowling: 250 hours → $3,750
B. Why It Matters: Context and Impact
Current stipends vary widely by district—with examples like $1,955 in Miami‑Dade versus $941 in Orange County for a bowling coach—underscoring staggering inequities. Some coaches previously earned as little as $4–5/hour despite multi-role duties—including mentoring, tutoring, and yearlong commitments.
FCC’s push for legislation aims to address coach shortages, stem the outflow of coaching talent to neighboring states like Georgia (where coaches earn six figures), and professionalize the role of coaching in Florida.
Legislative Momentum & Outlook
By June 2025, FCC’s efforts had gained further traction. Reports noted growing confidence that a bill would be formally introduced in the upcoming legislative session, with support from lawmakers like Senator Corey Simon and Representative Adam Anderson.
If enacted, this legislation would mark a sea change—raising stipends significantly (in some cases 300–1,000% more than current rates across major districts), and establishing consistent, equitable pay standards statewide
Looking Ahead: A Roadmap for FCC’s Future
- Legislation tracking: Monitoring the bill’s progress in 2026.
- Strategic funding advocacy: Securing state revenue streams to sustainably support coach compensation reforms.
- Member support & outreach: Leveraging technology to recruit, inform, and empower coaches across the state.
- Policy adaptation: Ensuring future stipend models reflect evolving needs, such as year‑round sport demands and expanding responsibilities.
- Long-term vision: Positioning FCC not just as a lobby group, but as a driver of professionalization and equitable infrastructure in Florida’s sports ecosystem.
