Moses Brown School is proud to announce the beginning of a dynamic new chapter for our football program. Following a comprehensive search yielding a field of outstanding candidates, Nick Rocha has been named the new Head Coach of the Moses Brown Football Program.

Simultaneously, we are thrilled to announce a new co-op partnership with Excel Academy Rhode Island, expanding our roster and deepening our community ties starting this coming season.

New Leadership: Coach Nick Rocha 

Coach Rocha brings a teaching-based, relationship-driven philosophy to Moses Brown. He is known for building authentic connections with players and instilling a culture of confidence, consistency, and accountability. His approach emphasizes not just the "X’s and O’s," but the fundamentals of long-term athletic development, including strength, agility, and discipline.

A lifelong Bristol resident and 2006 Mt. Hope High School alumnus, Nick’s football roots run deep in Rhode Island. He played on both the offensive and defensive lines at Mt. Hope under his mentor, Hall of Fame Coach T.J. DelSanto, before ultimately joining the school's coaching staff as assistant head coach on the varsity staff and as freshmen and junior varsity head coach.

Most recently, Rocha served as the 14U Head Coach for the East Bay Warriors, leading the program with consistent competitive success over four seasons, including multiple playoff appearances and a championship title.
Nick’s track record demonstrates a proven ability to build winning cultures and develop young athletes from the ground up. (Read Coach Rocha's full bio here).

"Nick’s philosophy centers on clear expectations and genuine relationships," said Moses Brown Athletic Director AJ Kizekai. "We are excited for the energy and structure he will bring to our student-athletes."

A Strategic Partnership: Moses Brown & Excel Academy Rhode Island

In a move that strengthens the future of football at both institutions, Moses Brown has entered into a co-op partnership with Excel Academy Rhode Island.

Excel Academy Rhode Island is a tuition-free charter public school serving students from Providence, North Providence, and Central Falls. Part of the high-performing Excel Academy network, Excel RI opened in 2022 with its Founding Fifth Grade. Excel Academy Rhode Island High School will open in 2026. Excel students grow and discover their best selves through rigorous and identity-affirming academics.

Under the Moses Brown School umbrella, this partnership allows student-athletes from Excel’s newly opening high school to compete as part of the Moses Brown team. This collaboration offers immediate benefits for both communities. For Moses Brown, it increases roster depth and creates the potential for future program expansion, including the return of a Junior Varsity program as participation grows. For Excel, it provides their inaugural high school class the opportunity to have a full athletic experience. 

Looking Ahead 

Located just six minutes from the Moses Brown campus in downtown Providence, Excel shares our commitment to holistic education. “We are incredibly grateful to partner with Moses Brown to provide our students with a premier athletic experience from day one,” says Dr. Kate Ring, Head of School for Excel Academy Rhode Island High School. “This collaboration ensures our inaugural high school class enjoys a well-rounded, vibrant student life, and we are thrilled to see our two communities come together to compete as one team.”

Echoing this enthusiasm, Katie Titus, Moses Brown Head of School, notes the shared benefits of the collaboration: "This partnership provides both schools with an excellent opportunity to offer a high-quality athletic experience. We look forward to continuing the proud tradition of Moses Brown Football with Coach Rocha at the helm and our new teammates from Excel Academy.”