Connecticut high school football coach steps down after 39 years

On Tuesday, a Connecticut high school football team that competed for a state championship in 2024 saw its head coach suddenly, abruptly hand in his resignation after nearly four decades as apart of the the program.

In a statement released by West Haven Public Schools, Rich Boshea after 39 years with the West Haven Blue Devils has officially resigned from his position as head football coach. Boshea, who took over West Haven as the head coach in 2015, compiled an overall record of 65-31 under his watch.

The Blue Devils are set to enter the season ranked as the No. 14 team via the latest Massey Ratings Preseason Connecticut High School Football Top 25 Rankings.

“We are shocked by Rich’s resignation. We sincerely thank him for his many years of service to the WHHS football team. We wish Rich nothing but the best in his future endeavors, both in life and career,” West Haven Superintendent Neil C. Cavallaro said in a statement.

The Blue Devils were coming off a successful 2024 campaign under Boshea in which the team finished with a 10-3 record, reaching the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Class LL state championship game and falling to Greenwich, 14-0.

“Richie has been an integral part of West Haven Football for 39 years. He has meant so much to this program and to so many players. We wish him the best of luck,” West Haven athletic director Joe Morrell said in the statement.

Of West Haven’s three losses of the entire season, two came at the hands of the Cardinals, whom defeated the Blue Devils to open up the ’24 slate as well. The only other loss that was sustained by the Blue Devils came against Fairfield Prep, who they would later on defeat in the LL playoffs.

West Haven was needing to replace a lot of key seniors from the state finalist team, including quarterback Nick Conlan (2,105 yards, 23 touchdowns), running back Coryon Harris (1,248 yards, 18 touchdowns) and leading tackler Joey Capela (103 tackles).

“I wish only the very best for Rich. Rich’s time and effort over the years as a WHHS football coach has never gone unnoticed and has always been appreciated. I know I speak for many when I say he will be missed,” West Haven principal Rob Bohan said in the statement.

With the Connecticut high school football season set to start on Sep. 12, West Haven now is in search of a new head coach. The Blue Devils are set to kickoff the season on the road against Manchester.