Stewart takes over at Atlantic
Former DB coach has some big shoes to fill with Eagles
Jamael Stewart has some big shoes to fill.
The former Atlantic defensive backs coach has been hired to be the Eagles’ new head coach, according to Atlantic principal Tara Dellegrotti-Ocampo. Stewart takes over for T.J. Jackson, who announced he was stepping down from the position earlier this month.
“His strong leadership skills, positive relationship with my kids and student-athletes are just a few of his many strong attributes that I respect and admire about him!” Dellegrotti-Ocampo said in an email. “His respect from our community will enhance our already successful football program and help to grow it to the next level.”
Jackson went 68-23 over eight seasons with the Eagles, making the playoffs in each year from 2014-19. In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Atlantic did not compete in the Florida High School Athletic Association state series, but the Eagles did win the Class 7A Tri-County championship. Stewart, who spent eight years on Jackson’s coaching staff, said the former Atlantic coach was a mentor.
“It’s a real humbling experience,” Stewart said. “I’m excited. It feels just like a whirlwind of emotions. Very thankful to the administration, Ms. Ocampo, for even considering me and giving me this opportunity. I just really don’t know how to feel right now. I’m overjoyed with the support, even from the kids and the program. So many text messages from the kids, calls from the parents. It’s been lovely.”
Stewart said he wants to keep building on what Jackson developed, keeping the team’s close-knit atmosphere intact.
“I don’t see anything that needs to be changed with the program,” Stewart said. “We just keep going and put it on steroids, the whole program. From everything outside of the
football field, with the community, getting the kids interested in the mentoring aspect of it. Coach T.J. built a family-tight atmosphere amongst the coaching staff, the kids, the parents and everything. Even the administration at the school, everything is a family. I want to keep that going, big time.”
Stewart has long been involved in the Delray Beach and South Florida football communities. He formed a non-profit organization, Opportunity Knocks, and he’s worked with two other organizations, Prep & Sports and Breakthrough Miami. He has coached youth football in Boynton Beach, as well.
Stewart is the former assistant director of the Neighborhood and Community Services department in Delray Beach. He resigned in 2019 as an investigation into the office’s use of grant money began. The Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics cleared Stewart of wrongdoing last year and the State Attorney’s office declined to press charges, according to the Palm Beach Post. Stewart said the investigation did not come up during the Atlantic interview.
“The Commission on Ethics came back, looked at everything, did a very thorough report, and they said we didn’t do anything wrong,” Stewart said.