LYNN — In August, 2017, KIPP Academy was preparing for its debut football season. The Panthers chose Jim Rabbitt to build the program and lead young student-athletes on and off the field.
Fast forward nearly a decade, and KIPP is a consistent Div. 8 playoff contender.
Rabbitt becomes the next head coach at Wakefield High, but his memories representing the Blue and Black aren’t going anywhere.
“When you leave a place, you want to leave it in a better place than when you found it. I think we certainly left it in a better place than a non-existent one. One thing that Athletic Director Anthony Grimaldi and I can say — that a lot of people can’t — is that we brought in a program from scratch and it’s thriving years later,” Rabbitt said. “The program is in a great position now and that team, next year, is going to make a nice Div. 8 run.”
Rabbitt said he enjoyed watching his players commit to college, with some even continuing their careers on the gridiron.
“I’m proud of the guys who got into college and played through and attended great schools like Trinity College, Middlebury College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and UMass Amherst, among others,” he said. “They get great degrees and some of them come back to coach.”
Former players Mike Brice and Kenneth Beato have returned to KIPP as assistant coaches.
Rabbitt also credited school leaders over the years.
“The school culture, overall, from the day we started the program to now, it’s a completely different story and I think football has to do with that. With football and the strong culture that we built, the leadership in the building is tangible,” Rabbitt said. “Elai Machado, Mike Brice, Morenel Castro, Vic Mafo, Dave Filias, and Kenneth Beato all became leaders in school and made school a better place. Football gives kids the opportunity to develop and hone in on what they need to thrive. The leadership we’ve had throughout the years has played a role in the culture, and it’s nice to be part of that.”
The Panthers have become a part of Lynn’s rich football tradition.
“There might be some people who are still unaware of what KIPP is, but it’s certainly a lot fewer people compared to when we started. Now, when I’m asked where I teach, I say KIPP Academy, and they’re like, ‘Oh, yeah, I know the football team,'” Rabbitt said. “It’s become known as a good football program. We embedded ourselves in a great football culture that already existed. You have Lynn English and Lynn Classical, who have a 100-plus-year rivalry. Then, you have Lynn Tech, which has had a lot of success recently, and St. Mary’s, of course. Just to be part of that conversation when people talk about Lynn football, I think we established ourselves in that conversation.”
Now, Wakefield. Rabbitt will compete in Div. 4, transitioning from building a program from the ground up to leading an established one.
“Wakefield is a football town with a rich culture,” he said. “Now, instead of building something new, I can build upon something that’s already there.”
Despite taking over as the Warriors’ head coach, Rabbitt said he plans to remain a resource for his former players.
“I told the guys that this isn’t a goodbye. It’s a ‘see you around’ because I’m still going to be around the building and active in the community. Any time I can get there, either on a Friday night or Saturday, I’m going to get there,” Rabbitt said. “I’m definitely going to be there on Thanksgiving Eve to watch them beat Lynn Tech again. I’ll be right there with them.”
KIPP will be coached by Marcus Taylor this fall.
“Coach Taylor is going to do a great job. I respect him a lot and we spoke multiple times. I know the program is in great hands,” Rabbitt said. “I’m excited to see what he brings. I was there for the conception of the program, so I’m never going to truly abandon it, but I’ll still be there for the kids if they ever need anything — whether it’s recommendations, advice, or recruitment.”
Rabbitt thanked the support system that surrounded him throughout his tenure, from Grimaldi to his wife, Lillian.
“I’m grateful for Anthony and everything he’s done to help build this program,” Rabbitt said, “and I’m especially grateful for my supportive wife, Lillian.”
