A funny thing happened to Coach Jon Gruden when he was fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008. He found himself on a high school football sideline.

With some free time on his hands, Gruden volunteered his services for his son Deuce’s Carrollwood Day School football team. It was a great bonding experience for father and son, but it also opened Gruden’s eyes to the challenges high school football coaches face on a daily basis.

So he did something about it. He formed the Fired Football Coaches Association to help give back to prep programs that need assistance.

Gruden discovered he has a special place in his heart, and his wallet, for high school football coaches.

Last year, he donated more than $20,000 to area football teams. This year, he upped the ante.

On Saturday, Gruden gathered 10 coaches and some of their players at the Westshore Mall Dick’s Sporting Goods where he donated $2,500. Dick’s Sporting Goods kicked in a lot of needed equipment, including footballs, blocking dummies and athletic attire. PDQ provided lunch and also donated $500 to each program. And GoPro donated a camera.

The programs that received the generous gifts: Chamberlain, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lakewood, Oak Ridge, Sickles, South Sumter, Tampa Bay Tech, Wekiva and Winter Haven.

But that was just the icing on the cake.

The day began for the coaches at Gruden’s FFCA office in North Tampa where they spent time in his “man cave” surrounded by shelves and shelves of football film. Gruden engaged each coach in conversations about the difficulties and obstacles they face.

And then he put them on the grease board where each coach drew up one of their favorite plays.

Bright House Sports Network was at Gruden’s office with the coaches. We will air exclusive excerpts throughout the high school football season. Make sure to tune in BHSN Channel 47 or HD 1147 this fall to see Gruden and the coaches in action.

Click on the video to see a sneak preview.