Head coach of Staples football Adam Behrends held a meeting on Feb. 4 with the football team to announce that he had accepted a coaching position at the collegiate level.
Behrends had been the head football coach at Staples since 2019, replacing Phil Treglia. In his time at Paul Lane Field, Behrends amassed a total record of 40-16, most notably leading Staples’ 2023 campaign to their first state championship in 20 years with Behrends being named the Walter Camp Coach of the Year. For the 2024-2025 football season, he led the team to an overall record of 10 to two.
During his time at Staples, Behrends oversaw the development of several Division I athletes, including Jake Thaw (Michigan), Tanner Chupsala (Boston College) and Caleb Smith and Charlie Leahy (University of Connecticut). Behrends’ commitment to player development will leave a lasting impact on his players.
“Coach Behrends means so much to me. He is not only a great coach, but a great mentor in life,” Wide Receiver Charlie Clark ’26 said. “From the moment I went to the first football practice coach Behrends always believed in me and my abilities.”
Like many of his athletes, Behrends will make the jump to the Division I level, joining the University of New Mexico as an offensive analyst, where he will work with quarterbacks and wide receivers. Behrends joins a new coaching staff under recently hired head coach Jason Eck.
Although Behrends will be missed by his players, many recognize the opportunity afforded by a Division I job.
“It’s definitely sad to see him go and everyone will miss him a lot for all he has done,” Quarterback Nick Weil ’26 said. “But I think this is a great opportunity for him to show everyone what he’s got and how great of a coach he is. I’m very excited to see what he can do at the next level.”
