“Be great today,” will be Concord football’s new motto.
Concord football is undergoing some change, but not a complete overhaul. Assistant Coach Mike Leonard was selected as the team’s head coach for the 2026 fall season as Jim Corkum ascends to high school principal.
Leonard will have to await the Concord school board’s approval before he can get to work.
He joined Concord’s staff two years ago from Goffstown and said he has loved every minute since he arrived. Obviously, last year’s playoff loss to Windham stung, but he’s confident the young squad will continue to grow.
His motto, he said, advises his team and staff to take pride and be mindful of their effort each and every day. Whether it’s the gym, the classroom, or with friends, he hopes they can strive to be the best.
“Let’s be great in every drill we do, every stretch we do, every play we run,” Leonard said. “We’re going to try to be great with what we’re doing.”
He knows that high school football is all about growing and developing young men, and he doesn’t take the opportunity for granted. He wants them to excel on and off the field.
Fortunately, his supporting staff is all staying in place. Offensive and defensive coordinators Dave Levesque and Ryan Daniels will return. Athletic Director Steve Largy, who coached alongside Leonard in Goffstown, is at the helm. Corkum’s presence isn’t going anywhere.
Leonard said Corkum was a fantastic leader and garnered the respect of not just the team but everyone in the building. He hopes to carry that torch and continue recruiting student-athletes within the hallways to build the team.
Leonard knows the ins and outs of high school football in New Hampshire. His father was a long-time coach for Manchester West and Trinity, so he’s been on the sidelines since he could walk.
As a player himself, Leonard played varsity for Trinity, one year at St. Anselm’s and three for Plymouth State. After finishing his collegiate career, he joined Saint A’s coaching staff and later Goffstown’s.
“I have that background of trying to help build that foundation of what it takes to be a good, good athlete, good person, good football player,” Leonard said.