Courtesy of Braintree Athletics

Braintree High School has announced the hiring of Dale Olmsted as the new head coach of its football program, bringing a leader with a deep well of experience at both the high school and collegiate levels.

Olmsted’s coaching journey began at Walpole High School, where he served as an assistant from 1992 to 1999. His tenure there was marked by significant success, as he played a key role in helping the program secure three Super Bowl championships.

The foundational experience he earned at his alma mater paved the way for his first head coaching opportunity at Millis High School, a position he held from 2005 to 2013.

During his nine seasons at Millis, Olmsted transformed the program into a consistent contender. His leadership culminated in a Tri-Valley League (TVL) Small School Division Championship in 2012 and three consecutive state tournament appearances from 2011 to 2013.

Olmsted’s efforts did not go unnoticed as he was named the 2011 Boston Globe Division 4 Coach of the Year and received Coach of the Year honors from both Metro West and the TVL in 2011 and 2012. Additionally, he was recognized as the New England Patriots Coach of the Week during the 2008 season.

Olmsted eventually transitioned to the college ranks, serving as the head coach at Nichols College for a decade between 2014 and 2023. His impact at Nichols was felt both on and off the field; he was twice named the Worcester Area College Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2018. Under his guidance, the Bison program produced 162 All-Academic student-athletes, 55 All-Conference selections, and several All-New England and All-Region players.

Most recently, Olmsted coached at Tufts University as an offensive assistant and tight ends coach, further diversifying a resume that Braintree High School is now eager to leverage for its own football program.

Olmsted says the opportunity to lead a program again and to do it in a community like Braintree is what appealed to him.

“The appeal of being the head football coach at Braintree High School is the opportunity to coach in a community with pride, and to add some of my experience to program that has had some success in the past.” Olmsted continued: “Braintree athletics has consistently been competitive in a lot of sports and I’m hoping to make add Football to that list.”

One of the most important of building a program is being in the school. Olmsted says he will get that opportunity.

“They are giving me an opportunity to become a full-time teachers aid in the building, along with my role as head football coach. I believe this will give the players and myself a chance to earn trust throughout the school year.”

Getting the opportunity to coach at the college level was something that Olmsted always wanted and appreciated the opportunity but he is glad to be back at the high level where he started.

” I really enjoyed my 20+ years coaching at the high school level. I wanted to return and the timing seemed right for this move.”