August 28, 2025
Local Community Rallying to Support Eustis Jr. Panthers Coach Johnnie Saunders
By Kyle Coppola
Local Community Rallying to Support Eustis Jr. Panthers Coach Johnnie Saunders
The Eustis community is coming together to support a man who has long been a pillar of strength, mentorship and generosity.
Johnnie Saunders, a well-known figure in Eustis for his work with the Jr. Panthers youth organization, community advocacy and his BBQ truck 2 Guys BBQ The Real Back Yard Boys, is currently hospitalized due to serious health issues requiring surgery. As he begins his road to recovery, friends, neighbors and supporters are stepping up to offer assistance to the man who has spent years lifting others especially the youth in our community.
(Johnnie has been instrumental to teaching young kids the joys of football. He has been coaching the Eustis Jr. Panther football team for many years.)
“He didn’t ask for help, he never would,” says Brandy Koester Currie, a close friend and organizer of the effort to support Saunders and his family. “But now it’s our turn to be there for him.”
Saunders, who is also a father, will be unable to work, coach, or care for his young daughter during his recovery. Currie, echoing the familiar saying “it takes a village,” emphasized the spirit of collective care that defines Eustis.
(Johnnie sits with his young daughter. He’s a hard working father and now faces a challenging road to recovery.)
“This is our mantra because we know that together, we are stronger,” she says. “Our community becomes better when we lean into one another during difficult times.”
Known for his selfless giving and mentorship, Saunders has helped shape the lives of countless young athletes through the Jr. Panthers program. Brandy says his impact on the community cannot be overstated.
(Johnnie also helps young kids get into the competitive sport of RC Boat racing on Lake Eustis when he is not coaching.)
“Johnnie has done an amazing job with the Jr. Panther organization. He is one of the most loved people in Eustis.” Community members are now being encouraged to offer their support financially or through prayers to help Johnnie and his family as he recovers.
To help Johnnie Saunders you can click here for the GoFund Me page.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
