FOOTBALL
COACHES
HEAD COACH
Ernest Anderson
Ernest Anderson, a 2005 alumni of St. Thomas More (STM), is deeply rooted in the tradition of success both as a player and a coach. He was part of an undefeated team that captured a bowl victory during his time at STM, earning a spot in the STM Athletic Hall of Fame. Anderson took the helm as Head Coach in 2019, after five years as the Defensive Coordinator, demonstrating a strong commitment to the development and success of his players.
With a rich coaching background that includes winning championships at St. Luke's School and securing multiple city championships at Stamford High School, Anderson has a proven track record of preparing athletes for success at various collegiate levels, from Division I to III, including Ivy League schools.
His coaching philosophy focuses on the holistic development of student athletes - academically, athletically, and socially - with a primary goal of college placement. At St. Thomas More, Coach Anderson continues to build a program that excels in developing well-rounded individuals ready to take on the challenges of collegiate athletics and beyond. Welcome to THE LAKE!
Contact info: eanderson@stmct.org
Career Facts: Ernest Anderson
- In 2012, Coach Anderson won a championship as DC at St. Luke’s School.
- Coach Anderson has won multiple city championships as OC at Stamford High School in Connecticut.
- Coach Anderson was DC and Assistant Football Coach under Jason Manson before becoming the Head Coach in 2021.
- Coach Anderson placed 18 players in college last year at all levels:
P5, Ivy, HBCU, FCS, D2/D3
Defensive Coordinator/ Speed & Agility Coach
Coach Martin Manson Jr.
Martin Manson Jr. serves as the Defensive Coordinator and Speed & Agility Coach at St. Thomas More School, bringing experience as a former collegiate and professional defensive back, defensive coach, and performance specialist.
A scholarship athlete at Southern Connecticut State University, Manson was a four-year All-Conference performer, three-time All-ECAC selection, and preseason All-American. His professional playing career included time with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League as well as multiple arena football organizations.
Since joining St. Thomas More, Manson has helped establish a fast, disciplined, and aggressive defensive identity. In 2024, the STM defense recorded a school-record 18 interceptions. The following season, the unit allowed just 14.6 points per game while producing 13 interceptions and 25 sacks.
Manson also plays an integral role in athlete development and speed training at STM. During his time with the program, 37 student-athletes have advanced to play college football, including 28 at the Division I level.
Prior to STM, Manson coached at Western New England University and Bloomfield High School. He holds NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist and Speed, Agility and Quickness certifications.
Contact info: mmanson@stmct.org
Offensive Line Coach
Coach Phil Simplicio
Phil Simplicio enters his third year St. Thomas More as the Offensive Line Coach, drawing on his robust background in football and academics. A 2016 graduate of Conrad High School where he played varsity football, basketball, and lacrosse, he furthered his athletic and academic pursuits at Bates College, playing football and earning a degree in Economics. His recent role before joining STM involved coaching and teaching at the Winchendon School, underlining his dual focus on sports and education.
Contact info: psimplicio@stmct.org
Assistant Coach
Coach Chris Winslow
Assistant Coach/Running Backs Coach
Coach Josh Eleazer
Josh Eleazer enters his first season at St. Thomas More as the Running Backs Coach, where he also contributes to player development, recruiting, and opponent preparation. Coach Eleazer brings a coaching philosophy centered on accountability, discipline, development, and building meaningful relationships with student-athletes.
Throughout his coaching career, Josh has gained experience working across multiple areas of the game, including wide receivers, defensive backs, and special teams. This diverse coaching background has helped shape his comprehensive approach to teaching the game, preparing athletes for competition, and developing players who understand football beyond the responsibilities of a single position.
As the Running Backs Coach at STM, Coach Josh emphasizes the development of complete three-down backs who possess a high football IQ, compete with relentless effort, and understand their responsibility within the entire offensive system. His philosophy is built around the belief that the offense can run through the running back position. Whether carrying the football, contributing in the passing game, protecting the quarterback, or leading through preparation and effort, Eleazer expects his running backs to positively influence every aspect of the offense.
A 2009 graduate of St. Bernard School, Josh played football at both East Lyme High School and St. Bernard, competing at wide receiver, tight end, defensive back, and defensive end. Playing multiple positions on both sides of the football helped develop Coach Eleazer's understanding of offensive and defensive concepts and continues to influence the way he teaches situational awareness and football IQ to his players.
Coach Josh has also earned his master's degree, demonstrating a commitment to continued education and personal growth that parallels the standards he establishes for his student-athletes.
Above all, Eleazer's coaching philosophy extends beyond developing successful football players. Coach Josh is committed to developing the complete student-athlete, helping young men grow as competitors, teammates, leaders, and individuals. He believes strong player development begins with genuine relationships and is reinforced through accountability, discipline, preparation, and consistent standards.
At St. Thomas More, Coach Eleazer's goal is to develop intelligent, disciplined, and competitive student-athletes who embrace the expectations of the program and are prepared for their next opportunity. His commitment is not limited to what his players accomplish on the football field, but also to who they become through the process.
Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Line Coach
Coach James Glowa
James Glowa, entering his sixth year with STM, oversees the defensive line and special team for both the fall and spring football seasons at St. Thomas More. Initially working with linebackers and assisting in strength training, Glowa, a former linebacker at Western Connecticut State University, returned to his alma mater, Bristol Central, to coach linebackers and strength before joining STM. His coaching emphasizes defensive acumen and strength conditioning, contributing significantly to the team's overall performance and resilience.
Contact info: jglowa@stmct.org
General Manager, Linebackers Coach
Coach Kevin Kehoe
Coach Kehoe works directly with Head Coach Ernest Anderson with incoming and outgoing STM student-athletes, specifically with the recruitment of high school prospects to STM and the placement of these players at the college level. In this capacity, Kehoe helped to place 19 football student-athletes at the D1 level, with some receiving NIL awards as well in 2024.
Coach Kehoe previously spent four years on the Cheshire Academy football staff, during which time, the team had a 32-4 record. In Coach's first year at STM, three student-athletes, playing linebacker, were offered and committed to D1 colleges & universities.
Coach and his wife Kris are the parents of 28-year old triplets Patrick, Matthew and Mikayla.
Contact info: (860)916-3433 (cell), kkehoe@stmct.org, @CoachKevinKehoe (X, formerly Twitter)
Assistant Coach
Coach Marquise "Q" Ruffin
Coach Marquise Ruffin, a former Bridgton Academy graduate enters his
first season on the Saint Thomas More Football Staff, bringing a broad
offensive background and experience in multiple leadership roles, including
Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach, Pass Game
Coordinator, and Offensive Analyst.
His coaching background encompasses offensive system development,
quarterback development, game planning, pass-game / run-game
strategy, opponent preparation, and program leadership. Throughout his
career, he has demonstrated a commitment to developing players,
establishing high standards, and building cultures centered on
accountability, discipline, and competitive excellence.
Coach Marquise Ruffin is dedicated to developing the complete student-
athlete helping players maximize their potential on the field while also
preparing them for success Future life endeavors. Coach Ruffin joins Saint
Thomas More focused on continuing the program’s tradition of excellence,
development, and championship-level preparation.
Twitter/X: @coachqtheHC
IG: @coachqtheOC
Assistant Coach/Linebackers/Strength & Conditioning
Coach Gabriel Bryan
