Masuk Free Press

Chris Pace, a football coach of many high schools that have seen success over his career, has been hired as the newest coach of Masuk’s football program. The hire was made on February 21, and Pace has been trusted to continue Masuk’s athletic success on and off the field. 

The Masuk Panthers completed the ultimate task in December of 2024. They had amazing team performances all year to ultimately become the CIAC Class MM state champions through an upset of Windsor. They won the game 24-21. Their head coach, Steve Christy, retired and left a vacancy for a head coaching position. The question was, who would inherit the reins to attempt to win back-to-back championships? Well, that man was Chris Pace. He is an experienced head coach who has led multiple schools in previous years. Pace is ready to embark on the next chapter of his career and lead the next stage of Masuk Football.

As the newest member of Masuk’s athletic staff, Pace’s next priority is filling the void of the head coaching position and continuing Masuk’s strong traditions. 

“Just to have the opportunity to come into a program like this with the success that they’ve experienced in the past,” said Pace. “More importantly, just kind of the tradition and culture that they kind of have here.”

Pace’s new peers are also very excited for his arrival.

“We’re very excited. He’s a great coach. He’s got great enthusiasm. He’s passionate about our school,” said Masuk Athletic Director Brian Hourigan, “he’s very organized and detailed, and he loves the game.”

Commitment from Pace’s best returning stars is a catalyst for the ultimate goal of the Panthers, which, of course, is to have that reputation of success year in and year out. 

“We’re striving to [win another championship] because we’re excited about the guys that are coming back, and guys that we have in place,” said Pace, “We want to be a program that competes at the top level of football in the state.” 

Expectations are no different for the Panthers this year, as Pace and his new crew are working towards glory once again.

“We always have high expectations for all our teams, and football’s no different,” said Hourigan, “I know that they are obviously coming off of the state championship, but Coach Pace is determined to get our team back to those same types of games in the future years.” 

Pace has a very thorough and successful track record up to this point in his career. He has led schools Abbot Tech-Immaculate and Bullard Havens, among others, to very above average regular season records and State Tournament berths. 

Masuk High School has a very strong athletic history, and the acquisition of Pace can only inflate that, according to Hourigan.  

“We hired coach Pace because we think he can keep the team going with those same results,” said Hourigan.

Pace’s hiring has gained nothing but positivity from Pace’s newest organization in Masuk High School.

“This is a new opportunity for the team,” said senior captain Ricardo Teixeira, “we’re coming off a state championship, so he’s bringing that energy back.”

Regarding Pace as a coach, Teixeira also spoke on the team’s behalf as they are welcoming their new coach into the program.

“He’s a very knowledgeable coach, very experienced. I trusted the athletic director to choose somebody well respected, and he definitely is,” Teixeira said, “He’s a guy I definitely approve of and I’m excited to work with him.”

Chris Pace is a well-regarded coach, yet it will not be until September that we see this new era of Masuk Football take the field.