Masuk names Chris Pace as new head football coach

MONROE, CT — Masuk High School announced the hiring of Chris Pace as the Panthers’ new head football coach Friday.

Masuk Athletic Director Brian Hourigan said Pace brings a wealth of experience and a passion for student-athlete development. He said Coach Pace is eager to build upon Masuk’s proud tradition of excellence both on and off the field.

“We are very excited for Chris to be leading our football program,” Hourigan said. “He is an experienced coach and dedicated educator who has a great passion for helping student-athletes reach their fullest potential. Chris impressed our interview committees with his detailed preparation, football knowledge, and his commitment to supporting players in the classroom and the community.”

The position opened following the retirement of Steve Christy, who led the Panthers to the 2024 CIAC Class MM Football Championship, capped off by a dramatic 24-21 upset of Windsor.

Pace said he is eager to step into his new role at Masuk and continue fostering a culture of hard work, discipline, and excellence within the football program.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled and truly honored to have the opportunity to lead such a program, filled with so much tradition and pride,” Pace said. “From the players to the parents, the school, and the community, it’s an opportunity that anyone would be excited about. I’m fully committed to this program and these players, getting them to succeed both on and off the field. I’m eager to get to work and continue to build on everything that makes this program great.”

Pace previously led programs at East Harlem Pride (2010-14), Weston High School (2014-16), Bullard-Havens Technical High School (2018-19) and most recently, Abbott Tech-Immaculate United Football (2020-24). He has also served as an assistant coach at Staples High School (2017), focusing on quarterbacks and the passing game.

Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to create competitive, disciplined teams while fostering a strong sense of sportsmanship and teamwork, according to Hourigan.

A graduate of Springfield College, Pace holds a Bachelor’s degree in physical education with a minor in health. He furthered his education with a Master’s degree in multicultural education from the College of Mount Saint Vincent and another in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University Irvine.

He currently serves as a physical education and health teacher at Abbott Technical High School in Danbury, where he has also coached the girls varsity basketball team since 2019.

Pace began his head coaching career at East Harlem Pride, leading the program for five seasons before taking over the Weston High School Trojans in 2014.

In 2017,  he transitioned to Staples High School where he contributed as an assistant coach focusing on the quarterbacks and as the passing game coordinator.

Pace returned to the head coaching ranks at Bullard-Havens in 2018, where he led the program to an impressive 20-2 record over two seasons, earning two CIAC Class S State Tournament appearances.

His success continued at Abbott Tech-Immaculate (ATI) beginning in 2020, where he guided the team to a 30-13 record, including consecutive CIAC Class M State Tournament berths in 2022 and 2023. Under his leadership, ATI reached the State Semifinals in 2023 and captured the school’s first-ever Connecticut Technical Conference Championship that same year.

Hourigan said Masuk looks forward to the next chapter of Panther Football under Coach Pace’s leadership and is excited to see the program thrive both athletically and academically.

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