Longtime West Haven Football Coach Resigns After Nearly 40 Years With Program

WEST HAVEN, CT — Longtime West Haven High School football coach Rich Boshea has resigned, school officials announced Tuesday.

Boshea, who replaced legendary coach Ed McCarthy as head coach in 2015, has been a part of the West Haven program for nearly 40 years.

“We are shocked by Rich’s resignation,” Superintendent of Schools Neil C. Cavallaro said in a statement on the school district’s website. “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.”

During his tenure as head coach, Boshea compiled a record of 65-31 and guided the Blue Devils back-to-back appearances in the state championship game the past two years.

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

Mike Anquillare, co-athletic director, said: “We wish the best of luck to Rich Boshea. We thank him for his dedication and devotion as a player, assistant coach, and head coach to the West Haven football community. We appreciate all he has done.”

West Haven High School Principal Rob Bohan said, “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.”

GameTimeCT reported Boshea battled cancer in 2022, including having surgery to remove half his tongue and rebuild it from his forearm and later receiving chemotherapy treatments after tumors were found in his trachea and esophagus.

Boshea told GameTimeCT that he’s still 100 percent cancer-free, but struggles with his voice have gotten worse and have made coaching a football team exhausting.

Read more at GameTimeCT here.