BEVERLY — Endicott football associate head coach / defensive coordinator Matthew Popino has resigned from his position with the Gulls to accept the head coaching position at Carthage College, effective Friday, January 5.
“I can’t say enough about Matt’s impact on this program and our players during his five years at Endicott. Matt has done an amazing job the past five years and four football seasons and he will be missed by many,” said Endicott football head coach Paul McGonagle. “Matt has worked every day for this opportunity and we are all excited for him and his wife Leanne for this next chapter in their lives. I have no doubt that Coach Pop will bring Carthage back to competing for conference championships and we wish all the best for him in this new position.”
In five seasons with the program, Popino played a pivotal role in the Gulls compiling a 43-12 overall record (.782) and a 27-3 mark in conference play (.900).
Endicott captured three Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championships (2021-23) and one New England Bowl title (2019) during that span alongside making four postseason appearances (NCAA Tournament First Round, 2021-23; New England Bowl, 2019).
Popino began his career in Beverly as the program’s linebackers coach (2019-20) before moving up to defensive coordinator over the last three seasons.
His efforts were recognized with a promotion to assistant head coach in 2022 and another title elevation to associate head coach this past season.
In addition to those roles, Popino worked with the secondary (2021) and defensive back (2022-23) units exclusively as a member of the coaching staff.
“I am so grateful for my time at Endicott. The past five seasons have been an incredible journey to see the young men in this program develop, grow, and shine,” said Popino. “I am so lucky to have been a part of such an amazing community. Endicott is truly a special place that I will always hold dear in my heart and I know the program will continue to thrive with the support and leadership of President DiSalvo, Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Wylie, and Coach McGonagle.”
Popino, a native of Metuchen, New Jersey, put Endicott’s defense on the map over the last two seasons leading the group to the second (7.5 points per game) and third-best (9.7 points per game) national rankings in scoring defense in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
This year’s squad also finished eighth nationally in total defense (233.3), while the 2022 unit was No. 15 (242.1) in the category alongside top-10 rankings in team sacks (5th, 3.73) and turnovers gained (No. 6, 31).
Overall, in his three seasons as defensive coordinator, Popino has coached two CCC Defensive Players of the Year, two Defensive Linemen of the Year, one Defensive Rookie of the Year, and 25 CCC All-Conference selections (13 first team, 12 second team).
The Gulls have received 16 All-Region awards and two All-America accolades.
Highlights from those achievements include Colin Meropoulos (Monroe, Conn.) becoming the first defensive tackle in program history to win D3football.com All-Region I Defensive Player of the Year honors and Hector Johnson (Worcester, Mass.) being named the team’s first-ever D3football.com Preseason All-American on defense, both occurring this fall.
Popino was once again recognized by FootballScoop last month as a Division III Coordinator of the Year award finalist for the second straight season following Endicott’s historic 2023 campaign.
The Gulls posted a 9-2 overall record and the second-ever undefeated conference season (5-0) in CCC football history.
Endicott earned its highest national ranking in program history at No. 14 overall in both national polls and captured its first-ever win over a nationally ranked opponent — No. 5/5 Hardin-Simmons, 37-10, on Friday, September 22.
The Blue and Green finished the 2023 campaign ranked No. 15 overall in the final D3football.com and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Polls.
Both rankings are program records for Endicott in either year-end poll.
Popino’s other major honors include the 2022 Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Division II/III Assistant Coach of the Year, the 2022 Hansen Ratings All-Region 1 Defensive Coordinator of the Year, the 2023 Hansen Ratings DIII Defensive Coordinator of the Year, and the 2023 Hansen Ratings All-Region I Defensive Coordinator of the Year/First Team awards.
Popino graduated from Worcester State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2014. He played two seasons for the Lancers as a tight end, guard, and center.
He also completed his Master of Science in Applied Communications from Fitchburg State University in 2017.
Popino joined the Endicott coaching staff in 2019 following a three-year stint at Rutgers University.
While at Rutgers, he rapidly rose through the coaching ranks of the program serving in four different positions (defensive intern, player development, defensive quality control – linebackers, defensive line graduate assistant) during his time in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
In his role as the defensive quality control — linebackers coach, Popino assisted the linebackers coach in weekly game planning, scouting reports, scripting practices, and recruiting.
He also assisted the defense in weekly breakdowns, charting plays, and drawing cards while creating reports with Pro Football Focus to find opponent tendencies.
Popino’s other coaching experiences include Fitchburg State — where he served as the linebackers coach, video coordinator, and academic coordinator from 2015-16 — and Worcester State University for two years from 2013-15 (assistant defensive backs coach).
A national search for his position will begin immediately.
(Photo Credit – David Le ’10)
