COACH DAN KOPPEN LEADS NEW ERA OF LA SALLE ACADEMY FOOTBALL

 Brings leadership, resilience and pedigree to take acclaimed Football Program to the next level

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Feb. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Br. Dennis Malloy, FSC, President of La Salle Academy is thrilled to announce Dan Koppen as the new Head Coach of the La Salle Academy Football Program. Coach Koppen was chosen to lead the 116-year-old football program, after a nationwide search led by a committee that represented the La Salle Academy community and family.

Coach Koppen brings an incredible depth of football knowledge and experience to the vaunted maroon juggernaut program. A two-time member of Super Bowl winning teams, the former center, said, "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."

Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots offered this about Coach 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."

Bill O'Brien, Head Football Coach, Boston College, emphasized, "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."

Coach Koppen's thoughtful approach impressed the search committee with his desire to create a space for athletes to learn high quality football.  Koppen added, "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."

E.G. Morse '88, La Salle Academy Board Member, retired Partner at Goldman Sachs, Princeton Football Alumnus and Providence Journal 1988 Schoolboy Athlete of the Year shared, "If I were sending my son to La Salle Academy or any high school for that matter, Dan Koppen with his strength of character, commitment to excellence and development of the whole student is THE Coach and man I would want my son to play for."

A graduate of Boston College, Dan Koppen is the second Boston College alum to be appointed head coach of the La Salle Football Program. Jack Cronin, another Boston College graduate whose impact at La Salle was such that all the fields at La Salle are named after him, was head football coach for 45 years.

La Salle Academy is a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory school, sponsored by the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Christian Brothers) offering a comprehensive curriculum. Founded in 1871 and located in the heart of Providence, RI, La Salle Academy serves students in grades 6 through 12. La Salle Academy has as its mission the education of young men and women of diverse backgrounds, with a special concern for the working class and the poor, in the tradition of St. John Baptist De La Salle's ideals of faith, service, and community. Learn more at lasalle-academy.org LinkedIn Instagram

SOURCE La Salle Academy