Mandarin stays in-house with the hiring of Toby Bullock

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Toby Bullock takes over a Mandarin Mustangs program looking to regain its state championship form. For Bullock, this job represents another opportunity to lead a program, only this time, one with a considerable football pedigree.

Mandarin pivoted away from former head coach Bobby Ramsay last December following a disappointing 5-5 season marred by injuries.

Ramsay, who took the job to lead Impact Christian’s (FL) new football program, led the Mustangs to the 2018 Class 8A Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championship. That victory made Mandarin just the second Duval County public school to win a state title, joining Raines.

Bullock landed the head coaching spot at Mandarin after four seasons as the Mustangs’ offensive coordinator. He was on the staff when the school won the state title in 2018, helping quarterback Carson Beck win Florida’s Mr. Football award that season.

"Coach Bullock has such a strong passion for coaching, Mandarin High School, our community, and teaching our young men to be successful on and off the field," Mandarin athletic director Brian Rado said following the hiring announcement in December. “We look forward to many incredible things to come under his leadership.”

Bullock’s previous head coaching experience came at Wolfson High, but his run there came as the school transition from a traditional high school to an international baccalaureate executive leadership magnet program. He finished with just a 2-27 record, but that’s consistent with Wolfson’s past. The Wolfpack sport just two winning seasons since 2001.

Bullock gained coaching experience at a number of schools in the area, including his alma mater Englewood. He also spent time with the programs at Creekside, Parker, and Ponte Vedra.

In 2021, Mandarin’s offense averaged 22.5 points and 308.4 yards per game with Bullock as the coordinator. The Mustangs expect exciting quarterback Tramell Jones, who played in eight games last season before an injury, to return to form this fall.

Bullock told the Florida Times-Union that leading Mandarin is a “dream job.” It’s a family affair for Bullock, too.

“My son plays there. My nephews are actually zoned for Mandarin. I have one Godson zoned for Mandarin,” he said. “It’s exciting that if I’m there as long as I hope to be, I can see all those family members come through and play for me there. I’m going to enjoy every single minute of it. Just going to love up my kids, love up my family and love the experience of it.”

Bullock played collegiately at Marshall University in West Virginia from 2002 to 2005. As an offensive lineman, Bullock blocked for future NFL running back Ahmad Bradshaw. He played with NFL cornerback Rashean Mathis in high school at Englewood.

In addition to his football duties, Bullock coached Mandarin’s weightlifting program to a Gateway Conference championship last year. Mandarin’s slated to compete in the FHSAA’s District 1-4M (Metro) with Atlantic Coast and Sandalwood.