For the past 22 years, Coach Keith Croft has been coaching football at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island. He began his career as a Varsity Assistant Coach, transitioned to the Junior Varsity Head Coach before becoming the Freshman Head Coach. As a nationally-recognized coach and mentor, Coach Croft has a proven track record of leading young athletes into success.
Coach Croft is the current Head Football Coach at Bishop Hendricken High School, a position that he has held for the last 11 years. Under the direction of Coach Croft, his teams have compiled a 150-23 record including 13 playoff berths and 12 championship game appearances. In 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, Hendricken captured the Rhode State Championship. The 2010-2016 seasons produced seven consecutive state championship titles. This resulted in the second longest consecutive championship streak in the nation at the time.
During his over two decade-long career, Coach Croft has become a respected and honored member of the sport. In 2010, he was named the Words Unlimited RI Schoolboy High School Coach of the Year. He was named the 2010, 2012, 2013 Coaches Association Division 1 Coach of the Year, as well as the 2013 Rhode Island High School Football Coach of the Year. In 2011, Coach Croft was honored as the Warwick Beacon High School Football Coach of the Year. In 2014, he was honored as the NFHS Football Coach of the Year. In 2016, he was named the USA Today High School Football Coach of the Year for the State of Rhode Island. Additionally, he has served as Vice President of the RI Football Coaches Association (RIHSFCA) from 2016-2018 and has just completed his two year term as President from 2018-2020.
While he was the Freshman Head Coach, Coach Croft led the Hawks to the 2004 Freshman State Championship. As the Varsity Head Coach, he guided the Hawks to the 2007, 2009 and 2017 Division I Super Bowls. Coach Croft has previously served on the staff of both the New England Patriots’ Chris Slade Football Camp and the New England Patriots’ Joe Andruzzi Day Camp. Held at Gillette Stadium, Coach Croft was a guest lecturer at the New England Football Clinic. This coming March, Coach Croft will be a guest lecturer at the Big New England Clinic in Newport, Rhode Island.
Coach Keith Croft holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Rhode Island College, endorsements in Health Education and Adaptive Physical Education, as well as a Masters degree in Educational Leadership. From 2001 to the present, Coach Croft has been employed by Cranston Public Schools as a physical education and health teacher and school administrator. Currently, he is the principal of Hugh B. Bain Middle School.