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Former Patriots Fan Favorite Lands New Coaching Gig

Former New England Patriots OL Dan Koppen just landed himself a new coaching job as the football offseason continues.

By Devon Platana

A New England Patriots fan poses for a photo during the second half of the game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.
A New England Patriots fan poses for a photo during the second half of the game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
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The NFL offseason is a time for new opportunities, especially when it comes to coaching jobs. The New England Patriots coaching staff has already undergone quite the transformation in recent weeks as head coach Mike Vrabel continues to settle into his new role.

As exciting as it's been watching the Patriots hire some fresh faces, the NFL isn't the only place to coach. In fact, it was just revealed that a former franchise fan favorite has landed himself the coaching gig of a lifetime.

Patriots News: Dan Koppen Named La Salle Academy Head Coach

On Tuesday, ex-Patriots center Dan Koppen was named the new head coach of La Salle Academy's football program. The former two-time Super Bowl winner told reporter Mike Dussault that he intends to use his experience in the NFL to help with his new endeavor.

"During my 11 years in the NFL, I had the privilege of working alongside some of the most talented players and coaches in the sport," Koppen told Dussault. "Being part of great teams taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, teamwork, and perseverance."

Koppen, 45, was drafted 164th overall by the Patriots in 2003. The former Boston College blocker was named a starter in his rookie campaign and never looked back, going on to play 134 games with New England between the regular season and playoffs, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors along the way

Koppen announced his retirement in 2014 following two seasons with the Denver Broncos. It wasn't long after that when the Dubuque, IA native was named to the Patriots' All-2000s and All-Dynasty teams, solidifying his place in franchise history and New England fans' hearts forever.

Located in Rhode Island, La Salle Academy "is one of the state's premier college preparatory institutions, emphasizing faith, service, and community." It'll be interesting to see if Koppen's winning experience helps him take the program to the next level.

Who knows? Perhaps coaching La Salle to a championship or two could lead to Koppen eventually landing an NFL coaching job.

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