Brian Pulaski out as head football coach

Brian Pulaski is out as Cardinal Newman football coach after leading the program the past two years.

The Crusaders had a 10-9 record in his two seasons, highlighted by a regional playoff appearance in 2016. Cardinal Newman went 5-4 this past season and missed the playoffs in Region 2-3A. The team fell to Archbishop McCarthy 27-16 in a bowl game to end the season.

“I’m out as head football coach at Newman,” Pulaski tweeted on Wednesday morning. “I want to thank Cardinal Newman HS for allowing me to have an opportunity to fulfill my dream of being a head coach and leading young men. I want to thank the players, parents and supporters. No regrets. We won and did it our way. Good luck.”

A Jacksonville University alum, Pulaski previously spent three years as the team’s defensive coordinator under Steve Walsh and John Timmins. When the school let Timmins go after one season, Pulaski was named interim coach in February 2016. Six weeks later, Cardinal Newman removed the interim tag, officially promoting him to the position fulltime.

Pulaski’s first season leading Newman was successful after the team’s 1-9 mark the previous year. Highlighted by a 21-20 upset victory over American Heritage-Delray, the Crusaders earned the district runner-up spot behind Oxbridge Academy. Cardinal Newman fell to eventual state runner-up Chaminade-Madonna 42-0 in the first round of the playoffs.

The Crusaders began this past season 4-0, but were derailed by a 34-0 loss to Suncoast. They dropped the final three games to end the season.

“Cardinal Newman football is moving forward with our football program,” athletic director Jay Lower said. “[We’ll] be announcing changes in the near future.”

wdusenbury@sunsentinel .com