After a 12-year run that included eight winning seasons, Germantown Academy Head Football Coach Matt Dence is stepping down from his position. The Patriots finished the 2023 season with a 5-5 record that ended with a 35-14 loss to Penn Charter on Nov. 11. Dence finishes his tenure with the Patriots with a 67-46-1 overall record.

“It is with many mixed emotions that I announce I am stepping down as the head football coach at Germantown Academy,” said Dence. “It has been an absolute privilege to have coached the student-athletes who put on a football uniform and left it all out on the field for the past 12 years. I am so proud of the hundreds of young men who wore the red, black, and blue with pride, both during school and on the field, and so honored to be part of a community that holds the spirit of tradition and competition at such high standards. I truly enjoyed leading this storied program.”

Dence certainly left his mark on the GA program. His 12 consecutive seasons is good for second all-time in Patriots football coaching history, and his 67 career victories is third all-time at GA. He also compiled five wins on GA/PC Day, giving him the second-most against Penn Charter, behind only Jack Turner ’56. 

The Patriots had won 14 total games in the five seasons before Dence’s arrival for the 2012 campaign. The former Yale University and Georgetown University assistant coach quickly turned GA into a competitive squad, winning six games in his second season. Dence’s tenure is highlighted by an 8-2 (4-1 Inter-Ac) season in 2016 that included an Inter-Ac League title. In his time in Fort Washington, Dence coached 45 individuals to All-League honors, with Patrick McGettigan ’17 being named Co-Player of the Year after the 2016 season. He also had three players named to the All-City Team by the Philadelphia Daily News. More than 50 student-athletes committed to play football in college during Dence’s coaching career at GA.

“Having four of my former student-athletes turn into members of my coaching staff – Joe Taylor ’13, Kyle Donahue ’14, Jake Dianno ’17, and Matt Gorman ’17 – for several years, but specifically this past season, was one of the highlights of my career,” said Dence. “Seeing them, along with other long-time members of my coaching staff, mentor the next generation of Patriot Football is a special gift.” 

“I would like to thank Coach Dence for his service and commitment to the GA football program for the past 12 years,” said Director of Athletics Tim Ginter. “His dedication to his players, our school, his coaches, GA alumni, and the football families has been exemplary, and we will miss him on the sideline next year.”

Head of School Rich Schellhas 1760 noted, “Several of my favorite GA memories come from watching Coach Dence and his teams fight tooth and nail for every yard, every point. I congratulate Matt on his stellar tenure as head football coach.”

Dence will continue to serve as Head of Kershaw House and PE/Health and Wellness teacher in the Upper School. A search for a new football coach will commence shortly