Another Patriots Super Bowl Champion Becomes Local Football Coach
Jermaine Wiggins has played New England football. He's talked about New England football.
Coaching New England football, naturally, was the only way to go.
Wiggins, a former New England Patriots tight end, has accepted the head coaching job at Brockton High School to lead the Boxers' football program. The Georgia alum forged an eight-season NFL career after going undrafted in 1999.
"My goal is to give every athlete that steps on this field skills and tools that I think are so important in life," Wiggins said to the Boston Herald. "I want to see them grow into young athletes that are successful.”
Wiggins joins the ranks of Foxboro champions to follow in the footsteps of Bill Belichick, which also includes running back Dion Lewis, who joined the staff of the University of Albany.
Born in Brooklyn, Wiggins has left a sizeable impact on the New England area despite playing only two seasons with the Patriots. Since his retirement from football in 2010 (which followed a two-year stint in the United Football League), Wiggins has worked with several Boston-based media outlets, including the renowned radio network WEEI. Wiggins stated he intends to continue his duties on the airwaves while working with Brockton.
The tight end's latter season in New England produced the Patriots' first of six Super Bowls. Of note, Wiggins had a game-best 10 receptions in the Divisional round victory over the Oakland Raiders, better known as the "Tuck Rule" game. Wiggins also caught the final Tom Brady completion in Super Bowl XXXVI the St. Louis Rams.
Earlier that season, Wiggins played a major role in Brady's first comeback victory with the Patriots, catching the tying score of a 29-26 overtime triumph against the San Diego Chargers. In addition to the Patriots, Wiggins also played with the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, and Minnesota Vikings. His time with the Panthers afforded him a reunion with the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII, catching two passes for 21 yards in New England's 32-29 win.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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