New Bedford High School Gets Two New Head Coaches

NEW BEDFORD — The New Bedford High School athletics department has chosen two new head coaches for the next school year, the school district announced Wednesday.

Kristen Scotti will become the head coach of the girls soccer team, while Brian Coon will start as the boys wrestling team head coach this fall.

According to a release from Athletics Director Thomas Tarpey, both new coaches have extensive experience in their respective sports as well as in their roles as public school educators in New Bedford.

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Kristen Scotti, Girls Soccer

Scotti, an ELA teacher at New Bedford High School, previously taught English for a decade at a high school in New London, Connecticut, where she was also the girls soccer head coach, according to the release.

She played varsity soccer at Ponaganset High School for all four years before going on to play intramural soccer and indoor soccer at the University of Rhode Island.

“I am excited that Coach Scotti is taking over as the Head Girls Soccer Coach as she brings varsity coaching experience and an unmatched enthusiasm for the game," Tarpey said. "We are very lucky to have her.”

“I am so grateful to be joining the Whaler family and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to coach such an incredible team of committed, talented, exceptional young ladies in the fall," Scotti said.

"I cannot wait to see all their success on the field and am proud to help contribute to building an amazing girls’ soccer program here at New Bedford High.”

Brian Coon, Boys Wrestling

Coon is currently a physical education teacher at New Bedford's Hayden McFadden Elementary School.

According to the release, he was captain of the wrestling team and a four-year varsity wrestler at Webster High School in Western, New York, qualifying multiple times for national tournaments and becoming a member of the USA Wrestling High School International Travel Team.

Coon continued wrestling at Niagara County College and has also coached varsity wrestling in South Carolina as well as for the New Bedford Sharks Youth Wrestling Club.

Tarpey said the department "could not be happier" that Coon accepted the position.

“Coach Coon has the leadership and ability to continue the tradition and success of our program as one of the top in the state every year," he said.

"In addition to his wrestling knowledge, Coach Coon is an incredible mentor to young men and is committed to helping them grow as individuals and achieve as a team," Tarpey added.

“I am truly honored and excited to take on the role of head coach for the New Bedford High School wrestling team," Coon said.

He added, "To become part of a well-established program, led by its coaches and athletes, with a reputation for success both on and off the mat is a dream come true.”