If Brockton was looking to make a splash with its football hire, they certainly succeeded in doing so.

The school announced that they will hire former New England Patriot Jermaine Wiggins as the school’s new football coach. Wiggins will be introduced by Brockton Mayor Robert F. Sullivan and Brockton Public Schools Superintendent Michael P. Thomas at a press conference Friday afternoon (12:30) at Marciano Stadium.

While preferring to wait until the press conference to deliver his statements, Wiggins did speak about the legacy of the Brockton football program and the impact it had on him as a youngster starring at East Boston High School.

“I am happy to have the opportunity to follow an unbelievable legacy that the Colombos have created at BHS,” Wiggins said in a text message. “As a kid growing up in Eastie and playing football Brockton was the gold standard. And now to have the chance to coach kids that are growing up in a neighborhood just like Eastie who have goals and dreams like I did when I was in high school is an absolute honor.”

Wiggins will take over for Peter Colombo, who retired following the 2022 season. Colombo took over for his father, the legendary Armond Colombo, in 2003 and compiled an overall record of 142-80-1 and pair of Super Bowl championships.

Wiggins was a two-sport athlete at East Boston, graduating in 1993. He went on to play his college football at Marshall and Georgia, before embarking on a nine-year professional career with the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars.

He played a key role in the Patriots’ first Super Bowl title in 2001. He caught 10 passes for 68 yards in a playoff overtime win over the Raiders and it was his six-yard reception from Tom Brady which set up Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning 48-yard field goal to give the Patriots a 20-17 win over the heavily-favored St. Louis Rams.