Roland Acosta was a beloved coach and teacher for 37 years, many of them at Plant High School. As a coach, his life-long football win-loss record was 156-90-1, building Plant into a powerhouse football program many in the county envied.  He mentored his players, focusing on character, integrity, and strength, and trained many athletes who would go on to play college ball.

In 1993, he was placed in The Sports Club of Tampa Bay Sports Club Hall of Fame to honor the Tampa Bay area’s legends of sports. In 1994, he retired from the school system and entered real estate. In 1997, he returned to high school football as a commentator for Time Warner's weekly televised featured game. He also worked sideline security at Buccaneer football games when Ray Jay was known as Houlihan’s Stadium.

Acosta died in 1999 of a heart attack at the age of 66.

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