BOYNTON BEACH – Steven Leggett has always wanted to be a coach.
After his playing days ended on the college football level at FAU (2015-2018), the Belle Glade native and Glades Central alum (2015) has worked his way up the coaching ranks over the past several years. Leggett’s opportunities for experience were at:
•Glades Central (2020-2021)
•Moore Haven (2022-2023)
•Boca Raton (2023-2024)
The most significant stop was at Boca Raton, where he helped the defense allow just 13.25 points per game over a 12-game season in 2024.
“As a coaching staff, we did a phenomenal job with our kids in the offseason,” Leggett said. “We work individually with our group to improve, specifically started from ground zero, by reteaching fundamentals of playing with your hands and blocking destruction. But, I have to give credit to the kids for wanting to be coached and taught on a daily basis, which led to a 10-2 season for us.”
Leggett had more to say about his Boca Raton coaching stop.
“We had arguably one of the top defenses in the country that propelled us to a second straight district title,” Leggett said. “We had kids like Brody Costolo (LB), James Fischer (DL/OL), Amir Holstick (DL/OLB), Travis Jackson (CB), just to name a few, that led us on the defensive side of the ball. Also, our coaching staff started with our leader and head coach “Sav” (Alex Savakinas) bringing us into a meeting before we started offseason training, detailing what his standard is going to be and us as coaching promoting that throughout everything we’re going to do.”
Leggett gave a shout out to some of the other Boca Raton defensive coaches from this past season.
“Coach Trey Lingold (DC), he has a brilliant mind for football and, most importantly, he cares for everyone he comes in contact with,” Leggett said. “Next is Coach Edmond Jones, a veteran guy for us who brings experience and knowledge from his extensive coaching career. He mentored not only the kids, but us as coaches, bringing in new insight and perspective into why they do on the field and in life. And lastly myself, being a fly on the wall, learning everything I could from those two guys. They helped me with the importance of doing something simple and being fundamentally sound about it.”
For Leggett, his recent promotion to becoming the Somerset Academy Canyons defensive coordinator came down to several things. One aspect stood out above all others.
“It’s about being able to work as a group, instead of an individual, which helps everyone progress in the area to enhance their understanding of all three levels of defense,” Leggett said. “This led to my promotion to Somerset Canyons.”
Leggett earned this distinction on February 11 by Cougars head coach Alex Gonzalez, who has assembled a family-like atmosphere and culture at The Set in his multiple years at the helm.
Leggett on Gonzalez:
“Coach Gonzo and the coaching staff have built a great culture around their program that cares for the kids and wants them to be successful beyond football,” Leggett said.
As a Muckstepper, Leggett is poised to put a positive stamp on the area in his own way. What helps is that he has two players on this year’s Canyons team who are from the Muck – both are in the Class of 2026:
•DB Davontey Oliver (transfer from Wellington)
•ATH Markiis Griffiths
Fun fact: Leggett, Oliver, and Griffiths are all from Belle Glade. It makes that hometown connection feel so special in only a way they can and will understand.
“It feels good to know you can make a positive impact on others’ lives no matter where you come from,” Leggett said. “The intention in which you do things are pure and genuine. It’s just how my parents Betty and James Leggett raised me. Breaking the mold of perceptions about Muck City people involves challenging stereotypes and showcasing the diverse talents, stories, and strengths of the community. We have all been impactful in a positive way.”
PHOTO CREDIT: FAU Football
Muck City Media Enterprises 
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