Courtesy of WJAR
PROVIDENCE- After conducting a two month search, LaSalle Academy has hired for Boston College and New England Patriots offensive lineman Dan Koppen as the program’s new head football coach.
Koppen was the junior varsity offensive line coach the past two seasons. He has also coached at rival Bishop Hendricken High School. At a press conference earlier today at the school at the school, Koppen talked about his experience and how it will help shape him as a head coach.
“During my 11 years in the NFL, I had the privilege of working alongside some of the most talented players and coaches in the sport. Being part of these great teams taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, teamwork and perseverance. I am eager to bring these experiences and values that I’ve embraced to La Salle Academy where my coaching philosophy aligns seamlessly with the school’s commitment to excellence both on and off the field.” Koppen added, “As existing members of this school community, we chose this exceptional school for our kids based on its academics and community, long before the coaching position was an opportunity.”
Koppen replaces Geoff Marcone. Marcone who guided the program for the past 20 years and won state titles in 2008, 2017 and 2022. Marcone stepped down after the season to spend more time with family. Rams alums Steve Lepre and Tom Glavin were picked to co-chair a search committee tasked with finding the next head coach.
After receiving countless resumes from across the country and Rhode Island, three candidates were interviewed in mid-January. Koppen was brought back for a second interview and accepted the job last week.
Koppen got countless referrals from several former Patriots coaches including current offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Boston College Head Coach Bill O’Brien.
McDaniels said of Koppen.
“He embodies so many of the incredible traits that a successful football coach must have. He was a flag carrier for our culture… He was one of our hardest workers. He is unselfish and put the team first in everything he did. He is an elite communicator who helped all others do their jobs well around him.”
O’Brien praised Koppen as someone who would connect with the kids.
“Dan would be a great head coach at La Salle because he would have a unique ability to connect with the kids on the team. He has experienced so many different things in football at every level and he would be able to impart all of this wisdom in his players. Dan would have a great impact on their lives and he would be an asset to La Salle Academy.”
One of those kids will be Koppen’s son Cambell who is in the program. After walking away from coaching at Hendricken to raise his kids, Koppen returned to coaching in 2023 and now takes over one of the best programs in the Ocean State.
Koppen is looking forward to getting started and he wants to build a program based on a championship standard and toughness.
“I want to build a program that has a high set of standards, clear expectations and strong work ethic. I believe in being a physically and mentally tough football team and we can start establishing that culture in our state-of-the-art weight room. I am excited to get started.”
The two-time Super Bowl champion knows what it takes to be a champion and he will look to instill that work ethic and commitment into his players. It was why he ultimately picked to take a program with a traditional of success.