Former NFL player Vernon Crawford
Former NFL player Vernon Crawford who coached the Boston Militia has joined the Renegades coaching staff. ©Sam Goresh

Renegades Add NFL Pedigree to Coaching Staff

January 27, 2016

January 27, 2016 – View document

BOSTON – Wednesday, January 27, 2016 — The Boston Renegades women’s football program is excited to announce that John Johnson, Vernon Crawford, and Patrick Pass have joined the team as coaches for the 2016 season. These three have extensive experience in coaching and playing football at the highest levels.

“We are fortunate enough to have previously worked with both Vern and Patrick and know the vision and passion they have for the game.  They are a terrific fit for our program on and off the field and we couldn’t be more excited to have them leading our team,” said Molly Goodwin, Chief Financial Officer for the Renegades.

Head Coach John Johnson joins the team with tremendous head coaching experience, leading high school and semi-pro football teams for over 15 years. Johnson is a former Defensive Coordinator and Head Coach of the New England Intensity (2010-2013), and has six years of experience working with women’s semi-pro teams. He also held the positions of Defensive Coordinator and Offensive Coordinator with the Boston Bandits men’s semi-professional football team winning four New England Football League (NEFL) Championships during his tenure.

“It is an honor to be associated with such a high quality organization as well as a team that has such a rich tradition of football excellence,” said Johnson.  Coach Johnson currently coaches at Framingham (Mass.) High School as a Varsity Assistant Coach.

Offensive Coordinator Vernon Crawford is a former NFL linebacker and special teams player for the New England Patriots. A special teams standout at Florida State, Crawford was drafted by the Patriots in 1997. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Special Teams Honorable Mention team that season. Crawford spent three seasons in New England and finished his playing career as a member of the Green Bay Packers. After retiring, Crawford continued his passion for football by coaching all phases of the game at the high school and college levels.

“I look forward to working with the team again and to bringing home another championship,“ said Crawford. Coach Crawford was Defensive Coordinator for the Boston Militia Women’s Football team from 2008 to 2014, winning three world championships with the team.

Defensive Coordinator Patrick Pass is a former fullback for the New England Patriots and a three-time NFL Super Bowl champion. After being drafted by the Florida Marlins professional baseball team in 1996, Pass played both baseball and football at the University of Georgia. Pass starred at running back, quarterback, receiver, and kick returner for the Georgia Bulldogs football team. Drafted as a running back by the New England Patriots in 2000, Pass remained a versatile player contributing on special teams and several positions on offense. Pass retired from the NFL in 2009 and began his coaching career soon afterwards.

Pass noted, “I was skeptical about women’s football until I experienced my first game.  From that day forward I was sold.  I’m very excited about the opportunity to be the Defensive Coordinator and lead the defense to a record-breaking season in 2016.”

Patrick was recently the Head Coach of the Boston Freedom Fighters, a men’s development team. Coach Pass began working in women’s football in 2015 as a member of the Boston Renegades defensive coaching staff.

The Boston Renegades’ football season will kick off on April 2, 2016.

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ABOUT Boston Renegades Women’s Football: The Boston Renegades are a self-funded, full contact, semi-professional women’s football team. We are proud to be a part of the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA), the premier league for women’s football in the United States. To learn more, please visit www.bostonrenegadesfootball.com.

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