Foxborough, Mass. – Doherty High School's Sean Mulcahy has been named the New England Patriots High School Coach of the Year following his team's 28-26 MIAA Division IV Super Bowl victory over Dennis-Yarmouth on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Gillette Stadium. Taking a 28-14 lead late into the fourth quarter, the Highlanders were able to stave off a Dolphin comeback and earn their first state title in the program's history. Mulcahy's squad showed incredible heart and resolve all season, overcoming deficits in nine of their 12 victories en route to a state championship season. After three straight losing seasons from 2009-11, Mulcahy quickly turned the program around with a 9-3 season in 2012 before leading his team to a 12-1 campaign and the school's first-ever football state championship this season. The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation will donate $2,000 to Doherty's football program in Mulcahy's name in recognition of his Coach of the Year selection.
Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Andre Tippett, the team's executive director of community affairs, visited Coach Mulcahy's team on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Doherty High School. The visit and check presentation will be featured on the Patriots weekly television magazine show, "Patriots All Access," which airs at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, on WBZ-TV in Boston and will be available immediately after on Patriots.com.
This was the 18th year in which the Patriots joined the National Football League in conducting the High School Coach of the Week program, which recognizes outstanding high school coaches and promotes youth football throughout New England. Tippett oversees the program as part of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's commitment to youth football initiatives.
"A special congratulations to Coach Mulcahy's team," Tippett said. "One of the hallmarks of a championship team is an unwillingness to quit, and Doherty embodied that attitude all season. Mulcahy's squad came from behind to win in nine of their 12 victories this season and overcame a 16-0 deficit against an undefeated Wahconah team in the Division IV semifinals to make it to the Super Bowl. In the state final, the Highlanders withstood a late comeback against a resilient Dennis-Yarmouth team to earn a 28-26 win and the first state championship in school history. The Patriots are pleased to award Coach Mulcahy and Doherty High School a donation to the football program and we congratulate them on their historic Super Bowl championship."
For the third straight year, Tippett has taken the award on the road and visited the schools that benefit from the program. In previous years, Tippett has invited the Coach of the Week and senior captains for a visit to Gillette Stadium. This year was also the third year the Patriots have accepted nominations for High School Coach of the Week.
The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is the non-profit through which the Patriots support charitable and philanthropic organizations throughout New England. This support comes in the form of direct grants, in-kind donations and player appearances. The foundation assists a variety of charitable organizations and programs throughout New England by supporting their educational, family and health initiatives.
