“We are thrilled that Matt will be joining us as both a football coach and a member of the faculty,” Fenerty said. “His enthusiasm and sincere interest for the young people of GA was apparent in the interview process; a process that included interviews and input from students, faculty, parents and alumni. He is a highly regarded coach by many in the collegiate football world, both from programs where he has worked and his competitors at other institutions. We also wanted someone who fit into our teacher-coach model of successful interscholastic athletics, and are excited about his vision for the football program.”

“I am excited about the opportunity to be a member of the Germantown Academy community, and especially, a part of the rich history of the Patriots’ football program,” Dence stated. “I am a dedicated teacher of football and a strong advocate for the academic and personal growth of student-athletes. Germantown Academy is so special, and to be the person who was chosen for this position means the world to me and I don’t, and won’t, take that lightly.”

Dence comes to Fort Washington after serving as the head coach at Valley Forge Military Academy in 2011, where he also served as a physical education and health instructor. He was responsible for the recruitment of new students to VFMAC and with NCAA recruitment for seniors and post-graduate students.  Prior to his first high school coaching position at VFMAC, Dence was a staff member on several collegiate football teams on the east coast – Georgetown University (wide receivers coach), Bates College (Offensive Coordinator, quarterbacks coach and strength coach), Yale University (wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator), Amherst College (linebackers coach and video coordinator), Springfield College (offensive line coach and tight ends coach), and King’s College (secondary coach). During his time as a college coach, Dence mentored 15 players who earned All-League or All-America honors during their playing time.

While at Yale, Dence, who also coached the tight ends for two years, mentored All-American Nate Lawrie ’04, who was drafted in the sixth round by Tampa Bay. He served as the co-director of the Bulldog Instructional Football Camp for two summers and was the liaison to the athletics administration office for eligibility and NCAA Clearinghouse issues.

Dence earned his bachelor’s degree in mass communication and media technologies from King’s in 1998, where he was three-year starter and four-year varsity letterwinner at tight end. He completed his Master’s of Physical Education with a concentration in sport management from Springfield in 2002. The Philadelphia native is a 1994 graduate of Father Judge High School.

The Patriots went 3-6 in 2011.