Brunson leaving Opp after 1 season, returning to Baker (FL)

OPP, Ala. (WTVY) - Opp High School will once again be looking for their guy to lead the Bobcats football program, as Matt Brunson will be exiting his role as head coach after just one season to return to his roots at Baker High School in Florida.

Brunson, a 26-year head coaching veteran, led Opp to a 4-7 record in his lone 2023 season leading the Bobcats, earning the school a fourth place finish in 3A-Region 2 and their fifth straight trip to the State Football Playoffs after taking over the program from Mike DuBose. They would exit in Round 1 after a 41-7 loss to St. James.

Prior to joining Opp, Brunson served as head coach at his alma mater Baker, where he is now returning. In his 11 seasons leading the Gators, Brunson went 114-21 and helped them to state titles in 2016 and 2020 and a state runner-up finish in 2018. Brunson also spent time as head coach at two other Florida high school programs, Vernon and Crestview, and in the Sunshine State has a career record of 213-73 and is a four-time FHSAA Coach of the Year winner.

As a player, Brunson was a four-year letter winner at Troy from 1987 to 1991, starting three years at nose guard for the Trojans and helping the program to their 1987 national championship crown. He also earned All-Gulf South Conference honors while at Troy.

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