Former Avon coach Quinion chosen to lead Northwest Catholic grid squad

Former Avon High football coach Brett Quinion, shown in the 2012 campaign, has been hired as the new coach at Northwest Catholic in West Hartford.

Former Avon High football coach Brett Quinion is returning to the sideline. Northwest Catholic in West Hartford announced that they hired Quinion to replace long-time coach Mike Tyler, who retired from coaching in December.

Quinion spent 10 years at Avon High leading the Falcons to five Pequot Conference Uncas Division championships and three CIAC playoff berths before stepping down following the 2012 campaign. He was 68-37 at Avon – the second most wins in school history. Only Quinion’s high school coach at Avon — Glenn McLellan (130) — has more career victories.

“I consider it a great honor and privilege to be coaching football at Northwest Catholic High School,” Quinion said. “Coach Tyler and his program have been a model of excellence and consistency. We will strive to represent our school well and continue to keep the Northwest Catholic tradition going.”

The Indians went 10-2 a year ago and qualified for the CIAC Class S playoffs for the sixth time in the last 10 years.

Dave Eustis, president of Northwest Catholic, said, “Brett is a welcome addition to the Northwest athletic department and community. I believe his style and experience will be wonderful for current and future student-athletes at Northwest Catholic. We look forward to Brett’s leadership in the years to come.”

Quinion played for Avon High in the 1970s. From 1976 through 2012, he owned and operated Quinoco, Inc., a retail fuel oil company based out of Bristol.

He served as the defensive coordinator at Bristol Eastern from 1999 to 2002. He took over the Falcon program in 2003. It was a struggle to get the program turned around. Avon went 4-6 in his first year and 1-9 in year two. But slowly, things began to change.

In 2007, Avon went 9-1 and won its first league title in 14 years. They had undefeated regular seasons of 10-0 in 2009 and 2012. Avon qualified for the Class M playoffs in 2008 and 2009 and the Class L playoffs in 2012. Click here for more on his career at Avon.

After leaving Avon, Quinion was the offensive coordinator at New Britain High in 2013. He didn’t coach last fall and it gave him and his wife an opportunity to visit their three children in college.