Childs named NH Shrine coach

By rbrown
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: December 7, 2021

If you thought Lebanon High School’s Chris Childs had coached his final high school football game when Lebanon lost to Milford in the Division II semifinals last season, you were wrong.

Some expect Childs to announce his resignation in the near future, but even if he does he’ll have one more game on the sideline since Childs was selected to coach New Hampshire against Vermont in next summer’s Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl.

Childs will likely have the opportunity to coach his son CJ in the game. CJ is a senior at Lebanon who played running back/linebacker last season.

This will be the second time Childs serves as New Hampshire’s head coach. He guided New Hampshire to a 45-21 victory in the 2011 game.

“My son playing in the game is some of it for sure,” Childs said when asked why he wanted to coach in the game for a second time. “It meant a lot to me when I got to play in it, so this is a good way to give back to something that meant so much to you when you were an athlete. Any time you can give something back to kids in need or people in need it’s a good thing for sure.

Childs recently completed his 15th season as Lebanon’s head coach. He played at Lebanon from 1991 to 1995, and played in the 1996 Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl.

Childs said his Lebanon staff will also coach in the game, which will be played Aug. 6 at Castleton (Vt.) University. New Hampshire is allowed to select 12 players from Division I, 12 from Division II, 10 from Division III and eight from Division IV. New Hampshire leads the series 49-17-2.

Vermont has not announced its head coach.

“It’s exciting,” Childs said. “The last time I did it in 2011 it was such a good experience. I had a lot of fun with the kids, so I’m excited about having that opportunity again. It’s a little different than the (CHaD) East-West game because the kids get to come and stay on a college campus. Because we’re together you get to know the team more and build some camaraderie. That’s what’s unique about it – it gives the kids an opportunity to bond more and get to know one another.”

*******

Those who would like to help New Hampshire Football Report promote football in the Granite State can do so by purchasing a New Hampshire Football Report membership or by making a donation below. Sponsorship inquiries can be sent to nhfootballreport@gmail.com. Your support is greatly appreciated.