Football season may be six-plus months away, but the Newtown High School program took a big step toward opening kickoff already with what NHS Athletic Director Matt Memoli anticipates will be a touchdown of a head coaching hire.

Dan Farina has been named Bobby Pattison’s successor, and the former New Canaan High assistant/offensive coordinator is looking forward to establishing relationships and winning on gridiron, in keeping with the Nighthawk tradition. The announcement of Farina taking over the Hawks was made on February 22.

“We did our best to find the next person who would continue to take the program to the next level,” said Memoli, adding that there were multiple applicants for the position. “It was extremely difficult. The candidate pool had very high-level, quality people.”

Farina, 30, and a resident of Fairfield, helped guide New Canaan to the Class L State Championship this past fall.

“High school football coaching is so much more than Xs and Os. Dan is someone we felt can be the face of the program, working with athletes, students, parents, teachers, and administrators in the district,” said Memoli, adding that he anticipates the transition being a smooth one because Farina, like Pattison, is even-keeled.

A school counselor at New Canaan High, Farina’s job translates into coaching quite nicely, he and Memoli both believe.

“It goes hand in hand. I think a lot of it translates, between building relationships and team building,” the coach said. “I love connecting with kids and I love working with them to reach their goals.”

Farina has already started work. In fact, he said the job effectively began during the interview process for the coaching role when he began watching game film to get a sense of the team. There will be workout programs and preseason practices after the initial steps of meeting with captains, the rest of the team, the parents, and youth football organization representatives in town. Farina is excited about every step in the process and getting to know the team and community as things unfold.

After earning his undergraduate degree at Southern Connecticut State University, Farina earned his master’s degree at Fairfield University. He played football — fullback and linebacker — at Fairfield Ludlowe.

Farina said he appreciates the New Canaan coaching staff, led by Head Coach Lou Marinelli and Assistant Coach Chris Silvestri, and said they have shaped him into the coach he has become.

“I’m super excited,” Farina said. “I’m high energy. I’m passionate — certainly passionate about football. I’m big on positive energy,” said Newtown’s new coach, adding that positive energy will help get the most out of his high school athletes.

Farina, before a five-year tenure at New Canaan, spent six years coaching at another FCIAC school, Wilton High. Previous to that he was at Pomperaug High of Southbury, a South-West Conference rival of Newtown’s — that is where Farina began his coaching career with a two-year stint as a freshman and then varsity assistant.

“I’m looking forward to joining the SWC. It’s where I started. It’s a good conference with teams like Newtown, Masuk and Barlow,” Farina said. “I’m excited for the level of competition. I think it’s a great conference.”

Farina will face two familiar FCIAC foes — St Joseph of Trumbull and Trumbull High, beginning with an opening-night home game against St Joe's (date to be announced). Then there is always the potential to face New Canaan in the postseason since both are Class L schools.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of the community. I’m thrilled and excited to be a part of this one,” Farina said.

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Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.