Courtesy of Wesleyan Athletics

A familiar name is taking over the Berlin, Connecticut Football Program. John Capodice, who won 98 games and a state title at the school is back. 

Capodice coached Berlin High School from 2004 to 2014 but then was abruptly relieved of his duties in 2015 when allegations of recruiting surfaced.

Capodice’s resume at Berlin spoke for itself. He took the program to the playoffs nine times and he won a state title in 2009. 

Capodice is a physical education teacher at the school. He is an alumnus of Berlin High School. After leaving Berlin, he continued coaching football as an assistant at Wesleyan University. The Cardinals won their first NEPSAC title in program history last season. 

In 2015, Berlin was on their way to another championship run when allegations surfaced that Capodice was recruiting players from neighboring New Britain. Berlin made a self-report to the CIAC and after a lengthy investigation, four players were ruled ineligible, the school was fined $4,000 and stripped of its seven wins. The school was also banned them from the postseason. Capodice was suspended for the season finally against New Britain and was ultimately dismissed.

Now he is back and ready to lead a program again that has experienced success under former coach Joe Aresimowicz. Aresimowicz compiled a record of 67-26 and guided the Redcoats to state title game appearances in 2018 and 2022. 

Berlin finished last season 8-4. They lost to Brookfield 28-0 in the second round of the playoffs.