Photo Courtesy Kaiden Medas
SEEKONK — The Seekonk High School football program is entering a new era with a familiar face at the helm. Superintendent Rebecca Kidwell and Athletic Director Kathryn Manigan have officially announced the appointment of Brendan Costa as the school’s new Head Football Coach, effective Feb. 10.
Costa is no stranger to the Warriors’ sidelines, having served as the team’s offensive coordinator, quarterback coach, and defensive back coach since 2023. His transition to the head coaching role comes after a comprehensive selection process involving an eight-member committee of administrators, coaches, parents, and student-athletes.
“Brendan has demonstrated a strong commitment to our student-athletes and to the values that define Seekonk Public Schools,” Kidwell said of the appointment. “He understands the importance of building a program that emphasizes accountability, teamwork and character, and we are confident he will provide outstanding leadership for our football program.”
The committee selected Costa from a highly competitive pool of applicants, citing his intimate knowledge of the current roster and his vision for a disciplined, positive team culture. His impact on the field was already evident during the 2024 season, where the Warriors’ offense averaged 27 points per game and set a new program scoring record during the annual Thanksgiving rivalry game.
Kidwell noted that Costa’s strengths extend far beyond X’s and O’s. “Throughout the selection process, it was clear that Brendan brings not only a deep knowledge of coaching football, but also a thoughtful approach to mentoring young people,” she added. “We look forward to seeing him continue to strengthen the Seekonk High School culture that supports student growth both on and off the field.”
Costa’s coaching pedigree includes a stint at Williams College, where he worked in offensive quality control and coached running backs and tight ends. This collegiate experience followed a standout playing career at Bates College, where he served as a team captain. Now, he is ready to apply those lessons to the Seekonk program.
“I feel that my experience both at the collegiate level and here at Seekonk has prepared me well for this role,” Costa said. “My focus is on building a strong, disciplined foundation where every player understands their responsibility to the team and takes pride in doing their job at a high level.”
Costa’s philosophy is rooted in the idea of “controlling the controllables,” focusing on effort, communication, and adaptability to ensure the scheme fits the specific strengths of his players. However, he remains equally focused on the development of his players as citizens.
“It’s important that our players understand that how they represent themselves in school and in the community matters just as much as what happens on Friday nights,” Costa emphasized. “If our athletes graduate from our program with confidence, strong character, and a clear understanding of what it means to be accountable to themselves and others, then we have been successful beyond the teaching of football.”
Athletic Director Kathryn Manigan expressed the district’s enthusiasm for the upcoming season, noting that Costa’s dedication made him the standout choice for the position.
“We are very excited to see Brendan step into the head coaching role,” Manigan said. “His familiarity with our students, his knowledge of the game and his dedication to building a positive team culture made him stand out throughout a highly competitive hiring process.”
Seekonk finished 4-7 last season but beat rival Dighton-Rehobeth on Thanksgiving.