The scene last Thursday morning at Fort Walton Beach High School was not a typical high school media day. A Dodge Challenger, a pristine Porsche Carrera 911, and a fleet of trucks from Preston Hood Chevrolet served as backdrops for players posing in full uniform, while fog machines and lighting from Holly Howard Photography created an atmosphere that would make any teenager feel like a pro athlete.

• But beneath the pageantry lies a deeper story – one of transformation, resilience, and a community rallying behind a program determined to reclaim its legacy.

“This is a sleeping dragon, man,” said head coach Josh Pulliam, looking at the whiteboard in his office. “They better hope it doesn’t wake up.”

Pulliam, who took over the program in February after serving as the school’s weightlifting coach and assistant football coach since 2018, inherited a team that has endured more than its share of adversity. The current senior class has witnessed three different head coaches during their high school careers, weathering coaching changes and unfavorable seasons that tested their resolve.

• “These seniors have gone through a lot,” Pulliam acknowledged. “Seeing that adversity and seeing that they stick it out with each other and handle things appropriately like a man, because you’re gonna see and take on adversity later on in life.”

The coach’s approach centers on what he calls “doing the little things right” – ensuring lockers are clean, helmets properly hung, and players arrive ready to work each day. It’s a philosophy that extends beyond the locker room into life lessons about accountability and respect.

“The discipline, in general, is where I started,” Pulliam explained. “Waking up better than everybody else. I talk about it all the time on Mondays. Sometimes you hear people say they ‘got a case of the Mondays’. We don’t do that here. We’re not taking that forward. It’s a new opportunity. It’s a new chance for you. It’s the first day of the rest of your life, man.”

That message appears to be resonating. Summer attendance has soared to 90 percent or higher under Pulliam’s leadership, with players earning rewards through a “summer raid” program that recognizes commitment and effort.

• “We live in such a beautiful place. These guys could be anywhere, but they choose to be here busting their tails for the Fort Walton Beach Vikings,” Pulliam said. “They understand the legacy that they’re trying to create based on how great this school has been in the past.”

The foundation of that legacy rests with the offensive line, a predominantly senior group that Pulliam considers crucial to the team’s success. Kaden Haile-Cox, Noah Reyes, Sebastian Reyes, Christian Sanchez, and Eric Stouder form the core of a unit that “needs the love, because everything goes through them.”

“We can’t run our offense without them,” Pulliam emphasized. “It’s a group that I’m excited for and to see develop and continue to grow and win little things in life together.”

Senior Austin Bouck exemplifies the cultural shift Pulliam seeks to instill. The coach recalls a pivotal moment early in spring practice when Bouck arrived two seconds late to the weight room – a violation that earned him 50 up-downs in front of the entire team.

• “He did those up-downs without question. He apologized to the team and hit the weights with them. I knew right then we were moving in the right direction,” Pulliam said. “Has he been late since? Once…yesterday…because he had to turn around and go pick up a teammate. Other than that, no.”

The defensive side features senior safety Jamal Jefferson and Mikko DeLong, players Pulliam believes will anchor a secondary eager to prove itself. Raequan Hawkins will play a significant role on both sides of the ball, while the quarterback position remains a competitive battle featuring Caden White, who has been playing the position for just 23 months.

“A lot of these kids, the development starts at a real young age,” Pulliam noted. “That’s where we’re at in that situation, and we have a quarterback battle going on right now.”

At receiver, Dantay Walker and Jacorey Reed provide veteran leadership, while junior Eli Crozier has emerged as a pleasant surprise during summer workouts. Pulliam recounted how Crozier transformed from struggling as a freshman to cleaning 135 pounds and recently hitting 225 pounds.

The coaching staff Pulliam assembled reflects his commitment to both experience and development. George Templet, the run game coordinator and running backs coach, came from Louisiana with extensive offensive coordinator experience. Shawn Snyder arrived from Oklahoma with a 29-year coaching resume and serves as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

• “To be honest with you, this is what a lot of head coaches say – I’ve been managing and just orchestrating things, like a conductor in a symphony orchestra,” Pulliam said. “It’s because of the coaches that I’ve brought in and the ones that have already been on staff.”

The staff includes several Fort Walton Beach alumni, including offensive line coach JQ Merrell, a former Jacksonville State player, and wide receivers coach Evan Mitchell, who still holds school records and won a national championship at UWF. Defensive coordinator TJ Jefferson brings a non-traditional background but shares Pulliam’s vision and energy.

Veteran coaches provide institutional knowledge and stability. Coach Joe Markoch serves as what Pulliam calls “the Swiss Army knife,” handling special teams and inside linebackers while possessing the ability to fix equipment and anticipate needs before they arise. Tommy Johnson, a former Alabama player and NFL veteran, brings championship pedigree to the staff.

Rounding out the coaching staff, Coach Brian McDaniel rejoins the staff after previously coaching with the program, bringing energy and enthusiasm to work with the wide receivers. Head basketball coach Chris Carswell wanted to remain part of the football program because he embraced Pulliam’s vision, understanding how the two sports complement each other as he seeks big, physical athletes who will help on the defensive side.

• The staff also includes volunteer coaches and additional support personnel who contribute to what Pulliam describes as ‘the most coaches we’ve had.'”

The support extends beyond the coaching staff into the community, where local businesses and leaders have rallied behind the program. Thursday’s media day highlights that support, with alumni Stewart Riggs providing the Porsche and Taylor Hood from Preston Hood Chevrolet bringing trucks for photo opportunities.

“The outreach and support from people like that, Mr. Riggs and the Hoods and anybody I’ve really encountered as far as I’ve taken over, it’s been better than anticipated,” Pulliam said.

For Pulliam, who graduated from crosstown rival Choctawhatchee High School in 2003, leading Fort Walton Beach represents both a professional opportunity and personal milestone. The irony isn’t lost on him – the former Indian now coaching the Vikings.

• “When I first moved over, all of my coaching buddies and my former teammates probably never thought they would see it happen,” he said, laughing. “I’m honored to even be able to say that I could be a coach at either one of these schools.”

Thursday’s media day served a purpose beyond social media content and season buzz. Pulliam sees it as preparation for life, teaching players to handle attention, speak confidently, and carry themselves with pride.

The coach draws parallels between his Vikings and their historical namesakes, emphasizing the warrior mentality and community support that defines the program’s identity.

• “You think back to the gladiators and the Vikings, they go into these big arenas and they’re battling,” Pulliam said. “Think about the armor and the things that they had on and just relating it to our mascot. The pageantry of all this is cool, man. They storm the shores with their ships. They get off with their gear, they’re getting ready to fight.”

Players like Judah Witherspoon, sporting his cowboy hat during the photo session, embody the personality and confidence Pulliam wants to cultivate. The coach encourages individual expression while maintaining team standards and expectations.

As the season approaches, Pulliam emphasizes the importance of development at all levels, particularly with younger players who represent the program’s future. The coaching staff has organized their approach to ensure freshmen and sophomores receive proper attention and instruction.

“In the past, I felt like one of the things that we needed to work on was the development of the younger groups,” Pulliam said. “ All of these coaches will be coaching everybody. We have figured out how to make sure that we take care of the young group and the future of what we have going on, because that is a big deal.”

The community response has energized both players and coaches, with Pulliam encouraging continued support as the program works to restore championship traditions. He wants to bring back the Viking horn on helmets and implement new reward stickers and recognition systems.

• “Get fired up about Fort Walton Beach Viking football,” Pulliam urged. “Come to those games on Friday nights and don’t ever be afraid to reach out to me. I want to hear from you.”

As game day approaches, Pulliam anticipates the emotional weight of his first contest as a head coach at Steve Riggs Stadium. He plans to tell his players to pause and absorb the moment before kickoff with the award-winning band playing, the community gathered, the culmination of months of preparation.

“Right there, after they’ve run out in the smoke and everything’s going off, just standing there right before the coin toss and the kickoff, that’s what I’m looking forward to,” Pulliam said. “Looking forward to it a lot.”

As Pulliam continues to stir the “sleeping dragon,” he stands before his team a coach who believes in both discipline and dreams.

“We’re trying to rise like a Phoenix,” Pulliam said, surveying his team as they concluded their media day session. “It’s been a blessing.”