Safran takes reins as SeaWolves push to rebuild morale and regional identity
On a humid August morning that marked the official opening of preseason training across Vermont, Josh Safran arrived at practice with a familiar purpose and a fuller schedule. Safran, who previously coached at Winooski until that programme folded in 2015, has been named head coach of the Burlington/South Burlington/Winooski SeaWolves, taking over from Chadde Wolf after two seasons as the SeaWolves’ junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant.
The first official practice was Aug. 10 and roughly 42 players — from Burlington, South Burlington and Winooski — reported for Day 1. Safran is expecting that number to climb to about 50 by the start of classes. The immediate task for the new coach is clear: unite athletes from three separate school communities into a single Division I roster while establishing a disciplined culture after a winless season last year.
“I have a lot more on my mind,” Safran said. “It’s not my first rodeo, but it is at the Division I level. And the challenge to bring three schools together — I’m really looking forward to that challenge.”
Players and coaches say the change has already been visible. Returning centre Lucas Comtois praised the new regime's structure after morning conditioning drills.
“It’s been immediate and so regimented,” Comtois said. “It was a lot more organized and strict than we had before. You can definitely tell that guys are more committed and want to do this. The morale is so much better this year.”
The SeaWolves will also see a tangible change in venue this fall. With the new $204-million Burlington High School now open, the team will return to Buck Hard Field for regular-season games for the first time in at least four years. Burlington High will host the team’s homecoming on Friday, Sept. 18. South Burlington is scheduled to host the team’s other two home games.
- First practice: Aug. 10 — 42 players reported
- Expected roster: About 50 players by start of classes
- Home games: Return to Buck Hard Field; homecoming Sept. 18 at Burlington High
Bringing multiple communities together for a single football programme is not simply a coaching exercise; it is an exercise in community building. The SeaWolves co-op spans municipalities with their own identities, school cultures and expectations. Safran has coached in Burlington and Winooski for years and said he values that breadth: he described the co-op as a “special thing,” noting his affection for the communities involved and his readiness to “take the plunge again.”
The move back to Buck Hard Field after several years away is likely to rekindle local interest and attendance, especially with a new high school nearby. For Burlington residents, having varsity football played again at a local field ties into a larger narrative about returning community events to public spaces that residents can more easily access.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Practice reporting (Aug. 10) | 42 players |
| Projected roster | ~50 players |
| Homecoming | Sept. 18 at Burlington High |
Challenges remain. The programme’s history includes the folding of the Winooski programme in 2015, and recent seasons have tested the squad’s resolve. A change in coaching staff and a stricter regimen do not guarantee immediate wins. Safran and his assistants must develop cohesion among players from three distinct high schools, align conditioning and playbooks, and cultivate leadership within the roster.
For Burlington, the outcome matters beyond the scoreboard. High-school sports are a focal point for local pride, school spirit and youth development. The return of the SeaWolves to a familiar pitch and a renewed coaching structure offers a chance to restore momentum — for players, families and the community that will pack the stands on Friday nights this autumn.
Safran’s first weeks will be measured in drills, attendance at practices and the tempo of improvement on the field. If early signs — commitment, organisation and higher morale — are accurate indicators, Burlington-area fans may have reason to watch closely as the SeaWolves attempt to turn a new page in the coming season.
