Kevin Fessette, head coach of the Danvers High hockey team for the last three seasons, confirmed Wednesday he is stepping away from the job.
The 41-year-old Fessette guided the Falcons to three consecutive playoff berths during his time behind the bench while compiling an overall record of 28-27-10. Danvers won a pair of postseason contests and reached the Division 3 state quarterfinals in his first season, 2021-22.
“It’s been a great job with great administrative support, great parents and most of all great kids,” said Fessette. “I was very fortunate to have walked into such a great opportunity and have an amazing three years.”
Fessette and his wife, Amy, have four children ranging in age from 8 to 1. He has also started his own program training athletes, Accelerate Fitness and Speed Training, that has kept him busy.
“I have a lot on my plate these days, and I love it,” said Fessette, who also teaches at Melrose High School. “But my time commitments are increasing more and more, and if I couldn’t give my all to the hockey program the way it deserves, that’s not fair to the players or their parents.”
Bill Sheehan and Shane Swanton were Fessette’s assistants with the Falcons, who graduated seven seniors from last year’s club but have a number of promising youngsters and other newcomers eager to step into varsity spots.
A native of upstate New York, Fessette was the head football coach at Ipswich High for six seasons from 2016-21, going unbeaten in his final season and finishing with a 37-24 mark to go with three outright or shared Cape Ann League titles. He had also worked for several seasons as a junior varsity hockey coach at Beverly High before taking the job in Danvers.
Having helped coach the Danvers varsity football team the past few seasons under head coach Ryan Nolan, Fessette is hoping to be able to do so again this fall.