Courtesy of Greenwich High School/TJ Lucas

Northbridge has a new head coach for the first time since 1976. Anthony “TJ” Lucas was hired on Thursday as the successor to the state’s all-time winningest coach, Ken LaChappelle.

The 37 year old Lucas arrives in Northbridge with extensive experience both in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Lucas comes to the Rams via St. John’s Shrewsbury. Prior to his time with the Pioneers, he also coached at Greenwich High Scho in Connecticut where he was the 2022 Assistant Coach of the Year in the state of Connecticut and he also coached at Fairfield Ludlowe High School.

The administration at Northbridge is thrilled to have Lucas on board as the new face of the football program.

“In the first time in a half-century, Rams Football will have a new leader. We are excited to announce TJ Lucas as our next Head Football coach. Coach Lucas brings high football acumen, a passion for developing young athletes and a strong leadership.”

Lucas calls the opportunity to take over the Northbridge Football program an honor.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to take over a program as rich in tradition as Northbridge. I look to maintain its winning attitude while helping enrich the Northbridge community.”

It was a lengthy process to find a replacement for LaChappelle. The process was not easy and the position had to be posted a couple of times to ultimately find the right coach.

Replacing a legendary coach is never easy. Lucas walks into a pressure packed job with high expectations but if he goes into it with the right attitude, assimilates and does it his way, he will be fine. As always, it comes down to winning games and developing young men. If he does those two things, he will have done his job.