He had attended Belen Jesuit and coached there in every capacity for over 29 years, but now, Eddie Delgado is ready for a huge change.
On Wednesday, Delgado became the newest head coach in a very active off season in Miami-Dade County – when he was announced as the new “top guy” at Doral Academy.
With Jase Stewart and his coaching staff blazing a winning trail at the school over the past four years, here is a program that is ready to make that return – and Delgado is more than up for the challenge.
“After being a school like Belen Jesuit for all those years, this is certainly a change for my entire family,” Delgado said. “But learning from someone like Richard Stuart, who was arguably one of the best coaches of a generation, has prepared me for this role.”
A education-minded coach and teacher, Delgado will have much more freedom when it comes bringing in players. Belen Jesuit’s academic and faith-based structure has long made it difficult to bring in prospects from throughout the region, and while they have been successful through the years, being consistent on the football field has not been easy.
With Doral Academy’s amazing success on the athletic front, the school is used to fielding very competitive teams, and that is something that Delgado embraces more than anything.
“The administration, athletes and student body are used to supporting and being part of a quality athletic program, and we hope to add to what is already in place,” Delgado pointed out.
Doral Academy’s past has been successful – with former Miami Killian and University of Michigan standout Evan Cooper, leading the program to success in the early 2000’s.
In 2017, Coach Stewart and the Firebirds went three rounds deep after beating Nova and upending power Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer in an unlikely 6-5 decision when Christian Ramirez booted a 20-yard field goal with :32 seconds in a game that sent this program to play St. Thomas Aquinas.
“The key to building this program will start in the spring and continue right through the summer.” Delgado said. “Remember, there were very few programs in south Florida that had a more productive than we had at Belen Jesuit – with the “FAU Padded Camp” and other events that made the team better. We will do those same things and more with Doral.”