Tucker Peterson squats into position during a game from his collegiate at the University of New Hampshire.
Courtesy photo

It’s been over seven years since Tucker Peterson has taken the field in a collegiate football game. Next fall he won’t be lacing up the cleats and strapping on a helmet. Instead he’ll replace it for a polo shirt and a clipboard, as he becomes the new offensive lineman coach for the Spartans.

Peterson who played college football at the University of New Hampshire was a tough and physical force at the guard position. The green mountain state was the birthplace of Peterson’s excellent career as he played numerous positions on the offensive line for Mill River High school and earned First-team all league honors all four years.

As impressive as Peterson was on the field Sean McDonnell, Petersons head coach at UNH, says he is equally as impressive off the field.

 “Football is a big part of his life but the thing that sticks out about him is what a great person he is,” McDonnell said. “He was one of those kids that when you coached him and were around him you knew what kind of character he was going to bring to the table the whole time.”

Since ending his playing career, Peterson has been coaching high school football. In his most recent stint as head coach of Mill River, he’s started to see a different side of the game.

“As a player your goal is to always take care of your individual job; to do what’s best for the team. As a coach, especially as a line coach, you’re responsible for taking care of five guys kind of at once,” Peterson said. “As a coach you have more control over the game than you did as a player.”

Peterson helps to take some pressure away from offensive coordinator Kevin Trigonis who also played the role as offensive line coach last season.

“Well, if they like to work then they’re going to love him. Let’s put it that way,” said McDonnell.

The plan moving forward is to have Peterson work solely with the lineman so that Trigonis can work with other positions in the offensive system according to Volpone.

Volpone compared his coaching staff of ten coaches to Castleton’s small college classes. He said the more teachers a classroom has, the more one-on-one attention an individual can get, making them a better student or in this case a better player.

Peterson is just what Volpone wants and sees him as a key factor in their success next season.

“Any time you have the ability to add a valuable coach to your staff, you do it and figure out the pieces and the parts later,” Volpone said. “We knew he was local, we knew he could coach.”

What does Peterson brings to the table beside in-game knowledge?

Peterson understands the local talent and can identify quality players to help recruit to Castleton according to Volpone.

In terms of next season the former Wildcat wants to have a “soldier mentality” meaning they will be prepared for all situations.

Volpone and company eagerly awaits Peterson’s arrival next fall.

 “We’re fortunate to have him; we look forward to working with him. I know the kids are excited and we’re anxious to have things underway,” said Volpone.