Brian Enrique hired as Bacon Academy football coach

Bacon Academy wanted to hire a new football coach from within, and assistant Brian Enrique was more than willing to take the job.

Enrique was announced as Bacon's new football coach Tuesday. He's been an assistant the previous four seasons, including a stint as the assistant defensive coordinator last season.

"It came down to being a familiar member of the team," Enrique said. "Whatever you can do that best suits the team. ... They needed someone to step up and take the reins, and I was the guy."

Bacon athletic director Kevin Burke said that Enrique was one of three applicants interviewed Monday.

"We really thought what was best for the kids and for the program and for the staff was to stay the same and not bring someone else new in," Burke said. "(Enrique) was willing to step up and do that."

Enrique replaces Duane Maranda, who was the head coach the previous six seasons. Maranda resigned in late June to take the same job at New London.

"Duane left us in really good shape," Enrique said. "We're not starting at square one."

- Day Staff Reports