Archbishop Murphy names Cronin new head football coach

The Archbishop Murphy High School football team has a new leader.

Joe Cronin, an Everett High School alum, has been named the Wildcats’ next head football coach, the school announced Tuesday.

Cronin most recently served as the defensive coordinator and associate head coach for Class 3A juggernaut O’Dea, helping the Fighting Irish win a state title in 2017 and reach the state semifinals seven times. He was also the school’s assistant athletic director and currently serves as the vice president of the Washington State Football Coaches Association.

Cronin spent two seasons as Cascade’s head coach from 2012-13, leading the Bruins to 14-7 record and a 4A state playoff berth in 2013. Cascade snapped a 23-game losing streak during Cronin’s first game at the helm, and he was named The Herald’s All-Area Coach of the Year in both seasons with the Bruins.

He also spent time as an assistant at Lake Stevens and Everett.

“The hiring committee poured (sic) through many qualified candidates for our head coaching position,” Murphy athletic director Jeff Latta said in a statement released by the school. “Coach Cronin checked every box we had when it came to what we were looking for to lead our program. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Coach Cronin and his family to the Wildcat community.”

Cronin takes over for Josh Jansen, who compiled a 3-14 record over two campaigns after spending six seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator.

Murphy’s new coach is tasked with turning around a program with a rich tradition of success. The Wildcats reached the state playoffs 14 times from 2002-2019, including three state titles and 11 state semifinals appearances. Murphy, which joined the powerhouse Northwest Conference as a football-only member in 2018, finished 0-8 last season and is in search of its first winning campaign since reaching the 2A state quarterfinals in 2019.

“I am incredibly honored to be a part of the tradition of the Archbishop Murphy Wildcat football program,” Cronin said in the release. “Growing up in Snohomish County, I have always admired the Archbishop Wildcat Community. My family and I are humbled to be a part of that tradition and community. I cannot wait to meet the football players and build relationships with them. Looking forward to being a part of and building a program that the players, staff, and community members are proud of! Go Wildcats!”