Tom Unger Named West Haven High School Football Coach

Unger takes over storied program after one-year stint as interim head coach

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

West Haven High School in Connecticut has officially named Tom Unger as the new head football coach, taking over the program after a one-year stint as the interim head coach in 2025. Unger replaces longtime coach Rich Boshea, who stepped down after 39 years leading the Blue Devils.

Why it matters

West Haven High School has a proud football tradition, and the head coaching position is seen as one of the top jobs in Connecticut high school sports. Unger's promotion from interim to permanent head coach signals the school's confidence in his ability to continue the program's success and build on the foundation laid by his predecessor.

The details

Unger was named the interim head coach in 2025 after Boshea, who had led the team since 2015, stepped down right before the season started. Despite inheriting a team hit hard by graduation, Unger kept West Haven competitive, leading the Blue Devils to a 5-5 record and a No. 19 ranking in the state.

  • Boshea stepped down as West Haven head coach in 2025.
  • Unger served as the interim head coach for the 2025 season.
  • Unger was officially named the new West Haven head coach in February 2026.

The players

Tom Unger

The new head football coach at West Haven High School, taking over the storied program after serving as the interim head coach in 2025.

Rich Boshea

The former longtime head coach of the West Haven High School football team, leading the Blue Devils for 39 years before stepping down in 2025.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is an unbelievable honor and It comes with a lot of responsibility. This is one of the top football programs in the state of Connecticut, and I always felt fortunate to have the opportunity to be an assistant here. It is a storied program with great players and great coaches that have come through here. This is something I am not taking lightly.”

— Tom Unger, Head Football Coach (GametimeCT)

What’s next

Unger will begin preparing for the 2026 season, looking to build on the momentum from the 2025 campaign and lead West Haven back to the state playoffs.

The takeaway

Unger's promotion to head coach at West Haven High School represents a changing of the guard for one of Connecticut's premier high school football programs. As he takes over the reins, Unger will be tasked with upholding the Blue Devils' winning tradition while putting his own stamp on the team.