Carl White leaves Ridge Community to become new head football coach Winter Haven

WINTER HAVEN, Fla.- One of the more surprising head coaching changes became official at halftime at a boys basketball game on Tuesday night between Winter Haven and Orlando Christian Prep.

After one season at the helm with the Ridge Community Bolts, head coach Carl White will be heading 24 minutes east to take the same gig at Winter Haven High School. 

The Blue Devils made it official and have tabbed White to be their next head coach. He takes over a Blue Devils' program that's coming off a 8-4 campaign under James Thomson, who stepped down as head coach just several days ago. 

White applied for the Winter Haven job the last time it came open, with the school going with Thomson. Second time around, Winter Haven went with White to lead the football program. 

"First and foremost, it was a blessing. This time last year, I interviewed for this job and it didn't work out," White said. "This is where me and my family wanted to be from the get go. Ridge Community was a great landing spot for me. Administration was great. The kids were phenomenal in that locker room."

White leaves Ridge Community after one season, with the Bolts going 5-4 under his watch. Previously, White was the head coach at Lake Placid High School from 2019-2021. He compiled an overall record of 9-21 in three seasons with the Dragons. 

Winter Haven defeated Land O' Lakes 29-14 in the regional quarterfinal round of the Class 4S state playoffs before falling to Lake Minneola 48-14 in the region semifinals. One thing White pointed out the team will need to improve upon if they want to make a deeper run in the postseason is in the trenches as he believes the program could be a contender with the athletes on campus. 

"We've got to get to work," White added. "I'll put these skill kids up against any kids in the state of Florida, but we've got to get stronger in the interior. Find some of those guys in these hallways to get better. We've got to get stronger in the interior and create some discipline this spring."

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.