A 2011 graduate of Vermont Academy, Connor understands firsthand the transformative power of this community. As a student, he experienced the blend of challenge, belonging, mentorship, and growth that defines the VA experience. After graduating, he returned to campus in 2015 as an assistant coach, helping lead Vermont Academy to the 2016 NEPSAC Class AA Championship and contributing to one of the most memorable chapters in our basketball program’s history.

Connor returns to Vermont Academy after building an exceptional career in both independent school and collegiate athletics. Most recently, as Head Coach at Deerfield Academy, he led one of the most impressive program turnarounds in recent NEPSAC history. In just four years, he guided Deerfield to its most successful basketball season ever, earning the program’s first NEPSAC Class A postseason berth, a #3 seed, and a semifinal appearance. For his leadership, Connor was named the 2026 NEPSAC Class A Coach of the Year.

Prior to Deerfield, Connor coached at both Middlebury College and Springfield College, helping those programs reach three NCAA Tournaments, including a Final Four run in 2018. Across every stop in his career,

Connor has earned a reputation as an exceptional teacher of the game, a thoughtful recruiter, and a trusted mentor to young people navigating ambitious goals.

Connor also brings extraordinary credibility as a former player. At Skidmore College, he was a four-time All-Liberty League selection, a 1,000-point scorer, team captain, and the school’s Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete of the Year.

What excites us most, however, is not simply Connor’s basketball résumé. The best coaches understand that sport is never just about sport. At its best, athletics becomes a powerful classroom for resilience, discipline, humility, leadership, and teamwork. Throughout his career, Connor has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to helping young people grow not only as athletes, but as people.

That same commitment makes him an exceptional fit as a College Counselor. Connor understands the aspirations, pressures, and possibilities facing today’s students. He brings empathy, wisdom, and a deep understanding of competitive college pathways, and he will help students navigate that journey with both care and high expectations.

Athletic Director Karen Henry shared, “We are thrilled to welcome Connor as our next head coach. His history of excellence and deep understanding of the prep school basketball landscape make him an outstanding fit for our program. Connor is widely respected throughout the NEPSAC community, and we are confident his leadership will continue to elevate Vermont Academy basketball while fostering meaningful growth on and off the court.”

Head of School Mike Peller shared, “Welcoming Connor home feels especially meaningful. He is returning both to Vermont Academy, where he grew as a student and coach, and to Vermont, the place that first shaped him. Connor is not only an exceptional fit for our basketball program, but for our school as a whole. He understands deeply the power of community and the role schools like ours can play in helping young people become their best selves.”

At Vermont Academy, we believe elite performance spaces can become powerful vehicles for human development. Connor’s leadership aligns beautifully with that belief.

Please join us in welcoming Connor back to Vermont Academy.