Biography

For over thirty years, Joe McKenna was dedicated to the success of Attleboro football as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. Following his playing days at Attleboro High School and the University of Maine, Joe returned home to his first coaching assignment at the Brennan Middle School. In 1964 Joe joined the Bombardier varsity staff as line coach under Head Coach Jim Cassidy and developed some of the Bombardier's finest lineman during an era of Attleboro's most successful and powerful teams that included three Bristol County championship squads. In addition, Joe served as Head Coach at his alma mater from 1979 until 1983.

Joe was a real student of the game and a natural teacher. He had a great enthusiasm for the game and had a very active coaching and teaching style that demanded perfection through repetition. Always a "class act", McKenna was not a "screamer" but he was tough and fair and he taught his players to play tough and to hit hard.

Joe was great teacher of fundamentals and constantly emphasized an demonstrated the good blocking and tackling techniques that were necessary for winning teams. He was a great innovator of offensive and defensive schemes and he taught his players to recognize and adjust to the opponents plays and schemes. He was a great teacher who understood how to develop and motivate the complete player.

Greatly admired by opposing teams and coaches for developing hard hitting and tough players, Joe McKenna  can also take credit for teaching and coaching thirteen Lineman who would become members of the Attleboro Area Football Hall of Fame.