By Ron P. Coderre

Acting with speed and decisiveness The Woodstock Academy administration and Headmaster Christopher Sandford named former Hyde School-Woodstock and Putnam native Sean Saucier as its new football coach.  Saucier replaces Darryl Daleen who resigned unexpectedly to tend to family matters involving his son who requires specialized medical attention.

The announcement appears to be a fortuitous sign for the school and the incoming coach.  In a recent announcement, Hyde School-Woodstock announced it will close its Woodstock campus at the end of June.  The announcement left Saucier in a quandary.  It meant either relocating his family to Hyde School-Bath in Maine or searching for work and a coaching position in northeastern Connecticut.

Saucier, who served as Hyde’s football coach and athletic director since 2006, appears to be a natural for the position despite the fact that he’s never been involved with a public high school.  He assumed the position of Centaur’s head football coach immediately and was also appointed as the school’s assistant athletic director.

“We are excited to continue what coach Daleen has built with a smooth transition to a veteran head coach in Sean Saucier,” said Aaron Patterson Woodstock’s director of Athletics.

The new leader of the Centaur’s football fortunes comes to the position after experiencing success as football coach at Hyde.  In the last four seasons Saucier has posted a 23-8 record, which included leading the Wolfpack to the New England Prep School Athletic Council bowl game in two of the last four seasons.  He closed out his Hyde coaching career with a win over its sister school, Hyde School-Bath.  Contested on the Woodstock campus, it was the final game in the Wolfpack’s football history.   

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the Woodstock Academy family and build on what coach Daleen has started over the past year.  I have big shoes to fill.  I can’t wait to meet the students and for them to get to know me.  Being a part of the growth of the school and football program is an opportunity of a lifetime and one I intend to work very hard to make the most of,” said coach Saucier.

Members of coach Daleen’s staff will remain as assistants under coach Saucier.  Greg Alexander, the former University of Hawaii quarterback, will return as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach.  Steve Sheehan, another assistant with college experience, will also come back as the Centaurs defensive coordinator.

“In the short time I have known Sean, I have seen his passion for helping kids reach their goals and dreams through the sport of football.  His educational based philosophy lines up well with the values of our institution,” said Patterson.

In moving from Hyde to Woodstock Academy, a distance of approximately two miles, Saucier will be invaluable to the football program and to the transitions planned as the Academy assumes the running of the former Hyde campus.  Saucier’s wife, Bobbi-Jo, who was part of the Hyde staff, will also become part of the Woodstock Academy educational staff.

 

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