Coach
One of the most respected and influential people who has ever coached or taught at Acton Boxboro. Coach Leary took over a football program in its infancy and developed the strong foundation and concrete walls of a program that is recognized as one of the finest in Massachusetts. Literally building the field as well as the program. Coach Leary's lessons of discipline, teamwork, commitment, and effort have been emblazoned in the minds and spirit of his student athletes. Coaching the Lombardian style, Coach Leary was the chief cook and bottle washer of the entire program.
Technically, Coach is as fine a football mind as there is in the game. But it is not X's and O's that separates Coach Leary from other coaches.
It is the bond that he has formed with his "boys." His loyalty to his team and his athletes is legendary, at his best, when a student athlete is
in most need of his guidance and mentoring. A 1958 graduate of Rindge Tech in Cambridge and 1963 grad of Boston University, Coach Leary was a multi-sport athlete,
culminated by winning the Charles Bowers MVP Football Award at BU. To AB's benefit, Coach Leary chose teaching and coaching as his profession. Starting at Somerville
High School and coming to AB in 1965. From 1965 to 1968 Ed was on Albie Stonkas' first football staff. In 1968, Coach Leary took over the reins as head coach and
promptly served notice that AB football was here to stay, with a stunning 6-0 defeat of perennial league champ Wayland HS. An innovator and motivator, opponents
knew that they better buckle-up tight when playing an Ed Leary coached team. Coach Leary retired coaching at the high school level in 1985, soon after joining
Joe Restic's staff as a defensive specialist for a five-year stint at Harvard University. This former Boston and New Bedford Sweepers professional football
player also played for the Lowell Giants from 1967 to 1971 serving as Captain. Coach is no stranger to hall of fames. In 1996, Ed Leary was inducted to the
Massachusetts Football Coaches Hall. He is one of the founders of The Colonial Club and the AB Athletic Hall of Fame.
Ed resided in Acton with his wife Ann, the "First Lady of Acton Football" and was very proud of his son Sean, daughter Maura and his six grandchildren.
Coach's two most memorable moments are the aforementioned 6-0 AB defeat of Wayland in 1968 and every Wednesday... defenses baby! Coach Leary, you may be Cantab by birth but your heart and soul is Acton Boxboro
