Justin Kogler is no stranger to Old Rochester Regional High School football where he used to serve as an assistant coach. Kogler has returned to lead the team as head football coach.

“It’s just a great a program,” Kogler said. “There’s a lot of support here from staff and students and I’m happy to be back.”

Old Rochester Regional Principal Michael Devoll and Athletic Director Bill Tilden made the announcement last week.

Kogler is the third head coach at Old Rochester since the 1986 season, succeeding Henry Quinlan and Craig Sherman. He most recently held the same position at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River.

At Bishop Connolly, Kogler's team set the school record for the most wins in a season in each of his first three seasons as head coach. Bishop Connolly also qualified for the playoffs for the first time in school history and made the South Sectional Semi Finals in 2014 under Kogler's leadership.

“He took on a program at Bishop Connolly that no one wanted, and it was in a lot of disarray, and he turned it around. So we know what he can bring to a program,” Tilden said.

Prior to taking over at Bishop Connolly, Kogler was an assistant football coach at ORR, working with Quinlan. His work at ORR included stints as the offensive and defensive line coach and the defensive coordinator. Kogler also worked with the receivers and linebackers.

“There are kids on this year’s team whose older brothers I worked with,” Kogler said.

In addition to football, Kogler also was an assistant coach for the ORR winter and spring track teams.

According to Tilden, “He coached here a while back and even after he left, he’s been a big fan and he’d come to games. The kids are really loyal to him. He has a laid-back coaching style, but he expects a lot of his kids. We just like his style."

Kogler works as a physical education teacher at Williams Intermediate School in the Bridgewater-Raynham School District.

Devoll said, “Having a Coach like Justin on staff is an asset. He was the perfect candidate for our search committee as he brings a strong background in both education and football. Having worked under Coach Quinlan and with Coach Sherman has afforded Justin the opportunity to learn from the best. We are very excited for the future of our athletic program.”