Soccer

Colin Hodge joined South Kent School as the Director of Soccer and Head Coach in Spring 2023. Colin graduated from Dominican University in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in International Business and Marketing. As a college player, Colin was a two-year starting defender and pivotal in helping the team win two CACC Tournament Titles, two CACC Regular Season Championships, and earning the program's first berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament in 2005, with a repeat appearance in 2006.

After graduation, Colin went on to become the Assistant Coach of the Dominican University Chargers in 2008 and was hired as the Head Coach in March 2012, where he spent ten successful years at the helm. Colin has coached USL League Two pre-professional soccer at the Manhattan Soccer Club for three seasons and led the 2022 team to become Metropolitan Conference Champions. He is consistently working to advance his education and currently holds an “A” License from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). 

Coach Hodge’s dedication to the sport began at the young age of fifteen when he was fortunate enough to travel the world playing soccer. This unique introduction to soccer was eye-opening and humbling, and his hard work, perseverance, and talent as a player led his teams to many championships. 

As a head coach and role model, Coach Hodge prepares student-athletes for everyday life on and off the field. Teaching them the values of respect, resilience, empathy, teamwork, and sportsmanship has always been a priority, and Coach's mission-based approach enables his players to thrive and be successful long after their soccer days are over. Coach Hodge’s ability to evaluate player performance and build character is just as important as developing skills. He is driven by the desire to coach players for the passion, skill, and respect of the game so they have what it takes to be disciplined and perform at the highest level in match play. This drive and steadfast leadership have helped many of his players achieve success at the professional level. 

Originally from a small town in Vermont, Coach Hodge has four children – Harper, Colby, Paisley, and Molly Mae.

Benedick Marcano joined South Kent School as the Assistant Coach of Prep Soccer in 2023. Benedick graduated with a Bachelor of Health Sciences from Dominican University New York. As a student-athlete at Dominican University, Marcano reached two back-to-back CACC conference finals (2020, 2021) and was champion of the regular season. Before his time at Dominican University, Marcano started his college career at Mount Marty University, where as a Freshman, became the leader and captain of a soccer program that qualified to play in the GPAC men's soccer postseason tournament for the first time in the school’s history (2019).

Before joining South Kent, Coach Marcano earned his National C Coaching License while working as a youth coach and scout for New York City Football Club (NYCFC), helping develop young talent from the New York City area while scouting players for the NYCFC Academy. 

Coach Marcano is originally from Caracas, Venezuela. Marcano is excited to join the South Kent School soccer program to help provide a platform for student-athletes to grow on and off the field and become a better version of themselves.

Jesse Brennan returns to the South Kent Soccer coaching staff as an Assistant Coach of Prep Soccer following two years away from the field to focus on earning his Ed.D from the University of Virginia. 

With a passion for education and soccer, Jesse Brennan has built a career as an educator and coach. Brennan’s coaching journey started in 2006 when he earned his USSF E License and began coaching youth soccer. During this time, Coach Brennan had the opportunity to learn from and work alongside many experienced coaches, including former South Kent School soccer coaches Lou Pereira and Carlos Almeida.  

Coach Brennan joined South Kent School in 2014, serving the role of Assistant Prep and Varsity Soccer Coach before being named South Kent School’s Varsity Soccer Head Coach in 2015. From 2015-2019, Brennan led the team to four consecutive HVAL Championship appearances, clinching the title in 2016 and 2018, and earning an overall record of 51-26-5 before stepping away to further his education. In addition to serving as the Varsity Head Coach, Brennan was part of the Prep Team coaching staff when the team won New England Class ‘B’ Championships and multiple National Championships in 2015, 2016, and 2019. During this time, Coach Brennan earned his USSF D License and NSCAA National Diploma. Beyond South Kent School, Coach Brennan extended his expertise to the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) as an ODP U-17 Boys Assistant Coach, contributing to the team’s successful run to the US Soccer Region 1 Championships. 

Outside of this beautiful game, Coach Brennan enjoys working with his students and spending time outdoors with his family.