A New Era for Oasis High School Football
Oasis High School welcomes a new era under the guidance of head coach Brice Bearman. After dedicating 22 years to the Cape Coral Police Department, Bearman has shifted his focus to nurturing young athletes. “I like being a Cape Coral guy,” he remarked, reflecting on his deep-rooted connection to the community.
Community Roots and Coaching Insights
Bearman’s journey in coaching began over 40 years ago when he stepped onto the field to teach freshman football at Cape Coral High School in 1989. Scarcely a generation later, he finds himself coaching players whose fathers he once guided. “I coach kids now that I coached their dads,” he observed, painting a vivid picture of continuity and legacy.
Outside of football, Bearman’s story is intertwined with his service to Cape Coral. He began his law enforcement career on patrol, later becoming a school resource officer and then a major crimes detective. Five months prior to accepting his role at Oasis, Bearman retired from his police duties, bringing his unique perspective to the football program as he seeks to instill discipline and commitment within his team.
A Confluence of Discipline and Inspiration
Bearman’s approach reflects a pragmatic mentality shaped by his extensive policing experience. Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore aptly described him as “a no-nonsense get the job done kind of guy.” This simplicity, coupled with a focus on results, resonates with his players. One of them, Adrian Gessa, highlighted the importance of attention to detail, stating, “If you focus on the little things, big things can happen.”
One poignant example of Bearman’s determination manifested during Hurricane Ian’s aftermath. Sizemore recalled, “We had hundreds of calls for service every single day. And I remember one day in particular shortly after Ian passed, Brice Bearman himself handled several hundred calls for service. He was a machine and that’s what he was.” These moments of grit inform his coaching philosophy: “I think it’s being focused. Being able to take care of the things that we can control. We can’t control anything else other than what we can control.”
A Vision Beyond the Field
Bearman’s aspirations reach far beyond just winning games; they encompass the holistic development of his players. He shared the importance of teaching them to be “good citizens, good sons, good brothers, and good people in the community.” For Bearman, the goal is for his athletes to embody values that make their school and community proud.
