Montville, NFA name new coaches
Montville and Norwich Free Academy announced changes to their head coaching staffs on Monday.
Tim Strong, a former assistant at Ledyard High School, was named Montville's new boys' basketball coach while Taylor Shannon, NFA's current girls' lacrosse coach, will also guide the girls' soccer program this fall.
Strong is also the head boys' cross country coach at Ledyard and serves as director of the Rose City Intensity Travel Amateur Athletic Union program. He is a behavior interventionist at Montville High's PBL Campus.
"We are excited to have Tim Strong lead our boys' basketball program," Montville athletic director Phil Orbe said in a release. "The interview committee overwhelmingly supported his candidacy among the seventeen candidates for this position. Tim brings a history of commitment, player development, and basketball knowledge to this position. Undoubtedly, he will infuse his energy and passion into our boys' program for years to come."
Strong said, "I couldn't be more excited to be the new boys' basketball head coach at Montville High School. I'm looking forward to leading a hardworking program that will strive to be a competitive program and look to get back into the state tournament. The program will put academics first and work hard every day on and off the court to be successful."
Shannon is an Eastern Connecticut State University graduate where she played both soccer and lacrosse for the Warriors. She is also a youth coach with UK International Soccer Camps and teaches physical education in the Waterford Public Schools.
"I am extremely thrilled and honored to be taking over as head coach of the NFA girls' soccer program," Taylor said in a release. "I have heard nothing but great things about these hard-working, dedicated student-athletes, and I am looking forward to coaching them."
Added NFA athletic director Roy Wentworth: "Taylor Shannon's enthusiasm and experience are just what we were looking for. Taylor has college playing experience in both soccer and lacrosse and has proven herself already as our girls' lacrosse head coach. Taylor has very impressive credentials and more importantly, she is a great role model and has established rapport with our athletes and coaches."