Inductees

Coach Bio


Al Robichaud

1968 - 1995

One of the most respected and recognized coaches at CCHS over the course of nearly three decades, Al Robichaud guided the football team to its first ever Massachusetts Super Bowl victory in 1978.
A native of Franklin, NH, Robichaud was a decorated football player at Franklin High School, graduating in 1951. He then spent a postgraduate year at Bridgton Academy, captaining coach Joel Lorden's football team before heading off to the University of New Hampshire, where he excelled on the gridiron at UNH under Coach Chief Boston, starting for three years on both sides of the ball. A three-time All-Yankee Conference selection and senior captain, Robichaud capped his career by earning All-American and All-New England honors and earned the prestigious Paul Hannon award that is presented to senior who contributed most to football over four years as a Wildcat.

Following UNH, Robichaud returned home to Franklin where he taught and coached for eight years, including six years as head football coach that produced two division titles. In the fall of 1968, Robichaud answered an ad for a teaching position at CCHS, embarking on a 27-year career as a fixture at 500 Walden Street. Robichaud served as an assistant coach and line coach under Hall of Famer Walter Carew for three years before taking over as head coach in 1972.

The program went through a transition from the Middlesex League to the Dual County League in 1973, and Robichaud built the program back to prominence quickly. The 1978 team was a dominating 9-0, winning the first DCL title in program history and advancing to the Super Bowl at BU's Nickerson Field against Shawsheen Tech where they slammed the Rams, 34-0. For his efforts, Robichaud was named Kellog's Coach of the Year and also recognized with that honor by the Lowell Sun and Middlesex News.

DCL titles followed in 1979 and 1981, with near misses in 1985 and '86 with the high-flying teams that featured Hall of Famer Willie Hicks. Robichaud was named the 1986 Shriners' All-Star Classic Coach, and in 1988 won the William Kirley Football Sportsmanship Award, as voted by the game officials. A 2002 inductee in to the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame, Robichaud coached dozens of players who went on to play at all levels of college football, and also mentored 10 CCHS Hall of Famers. In addition to his football duties, Robichaud was involved with the track and field program for three decades, serving as a field events coach from 1968-1998, with three athletes' records still standing as CCHS records.

Robichaud was married to Carol (Zak) from 1959-2007, when she passed away. Of their five children Jeff, David, Michele, Mike and Kim all three boys were All-DCL players at CCHS and both Michele and Kim were involved with the cheerleading program. He continues to live in Concord and has 15 grandchildren and one great-grandson. Son Mike is the current CCHS Head Coach, and has guided the Pats to incredible success with three playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title in the last four years.

"There are so many memorable games that stand out for me, and clearly the 1978 Super Bowl win over Shawsheen Tech was at the top," said Robichaud. "The 1978 Thanksgiving win over Bedford for the DCL Championship and and 1985 victory over Xaverian which placed our team at 6-0 for which USA Today gave us the #1 ranking in Massachusetts are also memorable. More than anything, my biggest and most loyal supporter was Carol, the love of my life. I accept this Hall of Fame Honor in her name."