Kent School’s new Director of Athletics is no stranger to our campus. Mr. Coulombe arrived at Kent in 2008 after a career in prep-school administration and basketball coaching. “My wife and I wanted a chance to focus on coaching,” he said. Over the past 17 years he has served as a history teacher, college counselor, member of the Community Life office, and the coach of both boys’ and girls’ basketball — leading the boys for a decade before stepping down in 2018, then returning to the court to guide our girls’ program four years ago.
Taking on the director role felt like a natural next step. “Athletics have always been a really important part of my life,” he explained. “This position lets me pair my love for sports and their role in education with my love of Kent.” He added that trusted and supportive colleagues such as Mrs. Schmidt-Sabia and Ms. Weeks gave him the final confidence to accept the challenge and step up in the role.
Looking ahead, Mr. Coulombe has identified four priorities of the Athletics Department for the coming year:
- Use athletics as a tool to build students’ character, integrity, and accountability;
- Support coaches and the work they do every day;
- Elevate the competitiveness of Kent’s interscholastic teams;
- Establish Kent Athletics as a first-rate organization.
Just as important, he hopes every athlete experiences three guiding values: competitive toughness, integrity, and joy. “When you choose to join a team, you should enjoy competing with people who share your drive,” he stated. “Hold each other accountable, play with integrity, and have fun.”
As practices and more games begin to unfold this year, Mr. Coulombe encourages athletes, coaches, parents, and fans to unite behind a shared purpose: striving for excellence while celebrating the spirit of sportsmanship.
“Go Lions!”
