Anna Maria Head Football Coach Steve Croce Announces Retirement At Conclusion Of The Season

Paxton, MA…Anna Maria College and the Department of Athletics announced today that Head Football Coach Steve Croce will retire at the end of the 2024 season after leading the AMCATS for the past three years. On Sept. 28, 2024, Coach Croce became the winningest head coach in AMCAT Football history with his 12th career win after defeating Husson College, 47-29. Current associate head coach and offensive coordinator Tanner Kingsley '20 will take over as head coach following Croce's retirement and lead the team in the 2025 season when the AMCATS join the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC).

"It has been an absolute pleasure to have coached at Anna Maria and it will always be the highlight of my 36 years of coaching", commented Head Coach Steve Croce. "I know the program is in great hands with Coach Kingsley, having played for me, coached QBs for me and serving as the last three years as Offensive Coordinator. I am more than confident he will not just match what has come before him but exceed it!!"

Croce was named Head Coach in 2022 following five seasons as the offensive coordinator. He was 5-4 in his first year in 2022 (3-3 in the ECFC) and 5-5 in 2023 (3-1 in the ECFC). That year, the AMCATS received their first-ever New England Bowl bid. Croce joined the AMCATS in 2016 as Offensive Coordinator and was a key part of the AMCATS first ever ECFC championship season and first appearance in the NCAA Division III football tournament in 2021.

In 2021 he was named Assistant Coach of the Year, by the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) following the AMCATS first ever championship season and first appearance in the NCAA Division III football tournament. The AMCATS went 7-3 overall and 5-1 in conference play including the best start in history, 5-1. The seven wins set is a new program record for most wins in a season.

"I would like to thank President Mary Lou Retelle, the entire athletic department and Anna Maria Campus community for all of their support during my time on campus," said Coach Croce. "A special thank you to all the student-athletes and assistant coaches and especially to my wife Kelly and five children, without any of them this unbelievable journey would never have been possible."

Croce's experience spans more than 30 years including head and offensive coaching roles at Coginchaug Regional High School in Durham, CT; Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, CT; Pomperaug Regional High School in Southbury, CT; Post University in Waterbury, CT; and Cheshire High School in Cheshire, CT. Croce was a full-time firefighter for the City of Waterbury, Conn. for 30 years.

"I would like to thank Coach Croce for his commitment and dedication to Anna Maria College and especially the football program. Steve has worked tirelessly as member of this departmentto lead the football program the last three years and five as offensive coordinator," said Joe Brady '96, Director of Athletics. "He is a relentless recruiter and through all of his efforts he has positioned the program well as we enter the MASCAC. I wish him well on his upcoming retirement and I know that he will enjoy his time with his wife, children and grandchildren."

"On behalf of the entire Anna Maria College community, I want to express our gratitude to Steve. He has given everything to our football program and will be missed by our student-athletes, parents, faculty, and staff," said Anna Maria College President Mary Lou Retelle. "We congratulate him on his many Anna Maria accomplishments and wish him a happy retirement."

About Anna Maria College
Founded in 1946 and located in Paxton, Massachusetts, Anna Maria College is a private, co-educational institution inspired by the ideals of the Sisters of Saint Anne. We prepare our students to become ethical leaders by combining a values-based, service-focused education with strong functional knowledge and the skills necessary to address the rapidly changing needs of their world. Anna Maria delivers undergraduate and graduate degrees along with certificate programs on campus and online. For more information, visit www.annamaria.edu.