Former New England Patriots captain Matthew Slater spoke for the first time to Boston 25 on Monday since Boston College High School announced he’d step in as the Eagles’ assistant head coach of leadership and development.
The three-time Super Bowl champion and retired all-pro briefly coached for the Patriots in 2024.
BC High’s head coach Paul Zukauskas said he reached out to Slater after his first season at the helm for the Eagles in 2024.
“I texted him cold,” Zukauskas said. “I said, ‘I’m... a big fan of your career and what you represent in football. So, if you’re ever interested in coaching this level, I’d love to talk to you.”
After a year of communicating and sharing ideas about the program, Slater agreed to join Zukauskas’ staff for the 2026 campaign.
“I always felt like my story in football was never about me,” he told Boston 25 Monday. “You make plans, and sometimes God has something better in store, and that certainly feels like the case here.”
Slater played for the Patriots for 16 seasons from 2008 to 2023. He is most well-known for his stellar special teams play.
He grew up in California and attended UCLA before entering the NFL. He’s called New England home for nearly two decades.
Slater added, “I’m just very grateful this community calls me their own now.”
He told Boston 25 Monday that BC High’s mission, football program, and the chance to form young men spoke to him.
“It’s about what you can do for other people, how you can serve,” he said.
Slater plans to bring a championship mentality and the Patriot way to the Eagles this season.
He finished, “Accountability, teamwork, hard work, discipline, doing it for the man next to you... I’m pumped. It’s like going back to my first day of high school all over again.”
BC High opens the season September 11th against Central Catholic.
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