New London High School announced this week that Jack Cochran will once again steer the varsity football program, taking the helm for the first time since the 2009 season.
A Familiar Face Returns
Cochran, a 1984 graduate of the school and a former Whalers player, returns after a distinguished coaching career that included stints at Bloomfield and New Britain, where he honed a reputation for developing disciplined, hard‑nosed teams.
He replaces Marquise Ruffin, who resigned after a single season, and takes over a program that has struggled to find consistency in recent years.
In a statement, athletic director Phil Orbe highlighted Cochran's deep connection to the community, saying, “Jack knows what it means to wear the Whaler blue, and his vision for the program aligns perfectly with our goals for student‑athlete growth.”
Cochran’s return also brings a reminder of his 2008 Class SS state‑title triumph, a feat that was followed by his dismissal the following spring when both the football and baseball programs were cut, a decision that sparked controversy among alumni and parents.
Joe Morelli, a longtime assistant who worked under Cochran during his earlier tenure, will join the staff again, adding continuity to a coaching unit eager to rebuild the program’s reputation.