Palmetto High School and the School District of Manatee County are grieving the death of Athletic Director Bryan Wilkes, a coach, educator, veteran and mentor whose influence stretched across two decades of local athletics.
The school shared news of his passing in a social media post this week, though no cause or date of death has been released.
Wilkes spent more than twenty years at Palmetto High, stepping into the athletic director role in 2020 after years of coaching. He founded the school’s wrestling program back in 2005 and built it into a consistent source of pride for the Tigers. His reach went well beyond wrestling too, as he spent years supporting athletic programs throughout Manatee County.
A Florida native, Wilkes graduated from Southeast High School before serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he competed on the All-Marine Wrestling Team.
That combination of military discipline and athletic passion seemed to define how he approached everything afterward, from early morning training runs to the way he pushed student athletes to demand more of themselves.
Colleagues and Family Remember “Mr. Palmetto”
Principal Monica S. DeLesline said Wilkes gave his life to Manatee County students and athletics, calling his impact on so many people a lasting one. Other athletic directors across the county echoed that sentiment.
Southeast High’s Matt Kitchie noted that while jobs can be filled again, someone with Wilkes’ personality really can’t be replaced.
Bayshore High’s Sean Mackey described the loss as losing a family member, while Manatee High’s Matt Bowling, himself a Palmetto graduate, remembered Wilkes being affectionately known as something like the second mayor of Palmetto.
Wilkes’ cousin, Damon Logan, shared memories of Wilkes returning home to coach and mentor him personally, saying their bond only grew stronger over the years and that stories about him still come up constantly.
Palmetto’s football program and baseball boosters also paid tribute online, with one post describing him as someone who stood quietly on the sidelines during tense playoff moments before erupting with excitement once victory was secured.
Supporters recalled his habit of running miles before sunrise and his relentless push for everyone around him to strive for something better.
The School District of Manatee County said the community is grateful for his years of service and leadership, and plans to honor his memory by continuing the work he valued most, which was supporting students.
At this time, Palmetto High School and the district are asking the public and media to respect the privacy of Wilkes’ family as they grieve. Details about how the community can celebrate his life and legacy are expected to be announced in the coming days.
