Thayer Academy is proud to announce the hiring of Deshawn Fentress as the new head coach of the wrestling program. A highly respected leader in Massachusetts wrestling, Coach Fentress brings over a decade of coaching success, community engagement, and athlete development to the Academy.

Coach Fentress most recently served as the head coach at Brockton High School, where he led the program for 11 seasons. Under his leadership, Brockton wrestling transformed from a limited roster into a full 14-weight-class team, producing multiple sectional champions, state placers, and even a summer national All-American. His efforts have been widely recognized, including honors as the 2019–2020 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Coach of the Year and the NFHS (National Federation of High Schools) Massachusetts Coach of the Year. Deshawn's commitment to developing wrestlers at every level extends far beyond the varsity program, as he established a pipeline of youth clinics and community programs that ensured long-term growth for the sport.

"We are thrilled to have Coach Fentress at the helm of our wrestling program, and grateful for the hard work of his predecessor, Jeff Kent, who worked tirelessly to re-ignite our program," said athletic director Bobbi Moran. "Coach Fentress's passion for the sport, expertise, and connection to youth wrestling on the South Shore will be a huge bonus to continue the work that Coach Kent had started. I am excited to assist Coach Fentress as he works to reestablish the excellence of Thayer Academy's wrestling program in the ISL and NEPSAC leagues."

In addition to his work at Brockton, Coach Fentress has been deeply invested in expanding access to wrestling for young athletes. He co-founded the Smashmouth Wrestling Clinic, a free seasonal program that has brought in collegiate and Olympic-level athletes to mentor students, and he co-founded Brockton Youth Wrestling, which introduced the sport to hundreds of children from kindergarten through seventh grade.

As an athlete himself, Coach Fentress was a standout at Brockton High School, where he won both a sectional and state championship before competing at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). At WPI, he was a three-time All-New England recipient and the 2002 New England Champion. In recognition of his achievements and impact, he was inducted into the Brockton High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.

“Success begins with two traits,” said Coach Fentress, “discipline and goal-setting. I see life as a book, with each chapter offering a chance to grow. As I close my chapter at Brockton High and begin a new one at Thayer Academy, I carry forward the lessons that shaped me: to lead by example, inspire others, and always go the extra mile.” 

Coach Fentress has proven time and again that he is ready, willing and able to go the extra mile, and combined with his proven ability to grow programs, inspire athletes, and build community through wrestling, Coach Fentress is poised to bring his incredible energy and expertise to Thayer. The school community is excited to welcome him and looks forward to his stewardship of Thayer wrestling.