Published December 6, 2018

By DAN NUNN

WORCESTER — Drew Canan, a 2001 North Reading High School graduate who is currently the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at Holy Cross, has found his calling coaching college football.

“The best thing about coaching is knowing how much of a positive influence you can have on your players,” said Canan. 

Canan just completed his first season on the Crusaders coaching staff. He came to Holy Cross from Assumption College, where he served as the wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator from 2014-2017. During that time, the Greyhounds posted an overall record of 38-11, took home two Northeast 10 Conference titles in 2017 and 2015, made three trips to the NCAA Playoffs and in 2017 were a play away from reaching the Final Four.

NORTH READING’s own Drew Canan, second from right, has found his calling as an assistant with the Holy Cross football team. Also pictured are tight ends Henry Teeter (80), Derek Mountain (14) and Cole Pirwitz (46). (Courtesy Photo)

Prior to his time at Assumption, Canan served as the wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator at Endicott College from 2011-2013 and was a graduate assistant at Endicott from 2008-2010. While with the Gulls he helped lead the team to their first New England Football Conference championship in school history in 2010 and another NEFC Title in 2013.

Now let’s take a look back at his time growing up in North Reading.

“I loved everything about growing up in North Reading,” said Canan. “I used to love Saturday afternoons going to NRHS football games with my father.”

During his time at NRHS he had four big coaching influences. While on the wrestling team, head coach Eric Johnson and assistant coach Scott Demetri, “pushed me to be great and gave unwavering support.”

During his senior season on the football team first year head coach Chuck Reid and assistant coach Chuck Carucci were “tremendous coaches that taught me so much about football.”

But his biggest inspiration to become a coach was his father.

“My father, who is my hero, coached high school basketball at Masco when I was growing up,” said Canan. “I knew that I wanted to follow in his footsteps because I saw how hard he worked, how much fun he had and how much his players admired him.”

As of right now, Canan doesn’t know what the future holds but is happy at the moment.

“I don’t really know what my ultimate goal is. I love what I do, and hope to continue doing it for a long time.”