Platt Tech has hired 36-year old Chris Theriault as their next football coach, Athletic Director Sue Murphy announced today.
He replaces Vinny Camera, who started the program and coached six years before leaving to take over at Fairfield Ludlowe. This is Theriault’s first head coaching job.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Theriault said. “I’m expecting most of the staff will return and I’m looking forward to take what Vinny started and continue to build a strong program. Vinny left a good foundation and I’m looking to keep it going as best I can.”
An electrical shop teacher at Platt Tech for the past two years an an electrician for the past 15 years, Theriault played free safety at Bristol Central until graduating in 1995.
He said he coached football camps and clinics in New Hampshire –mostly defense and defensive backs — during the early 2000s but stopped and took a approximately a decade-long break due to “family commitments.”
During his brief tenure as a Platt Tech teacher, Theriault said he began to get an itch to coach again. “I realized I still have that love and that passion for the game,” he said.
Theriault was in discussions to join former coach Vincent Camera’s staff but, again, “due to family concerns, I couldn’t give 110 percent of my time,” he said.
He believes he’s ready this time. After discussions with Camera and assistant coach George Baglini, Theriault applied and got the gig.
He becomes the second head coach in the six-year history of the Platt Tech football program. Platt Tech is coming off its first winning season. The Panthers were 6-4 in 2012.
“We’re very excited,” Murphy said. “He’s totally as passionate about football as I am about softball. We can’t wait to get started.”
That brings the current coaching vacancies down to five.
NO VACANCY (22)
- Abbott Tech — Rich Holmes
- Avon — Jim Caouette
- Central — Brian Gordon
- Cheshire — Don Drust
- Branford — John Limone
- Bunnell — Doug Cotto
- East Lyme — Rudy Bagos
- Elllington/Somers — Sean Byrne
- Fairfield Ludlowe — Vincent Camera
- Fitch — Jordan Panucci
- Naugatuck — Craig Bruno
- Bacon Academy — Erik Larka
- Lewis Mills — Jose Santana
- Maloney — Pierce Brennan
- New Milford — John Murphy
- Masuk — David Brennan
- Platt Tech — Chris Theriault
- Rockville — Rob Scholtz
- Stamford — Jamar Greene
- Torrington — Gaetan Rodriguez
- Trinity Catholic — Donny Panapada
- Woodstock Academy — Clay Killingsworth
VACANCY (5)
- East Haven – East Haven is interviewing its final candidates early this week. Could have a decision… next week?
- Notre Dame-Fairfield — Notre Dame is interviewing candidates on Thursday. Decision could come next week.
- St. Bernard/Norwich Tech
- Wilby
- Old Saybrook