Cornwall, Vermont native Ryan Paquette has joined the football coaching staff at Middlebury College. He will also serve as the department's strength and conditioning coach. Paquette comes to Middlebury from Maine Maritime Academy, where he served as the defensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coach for the past two seasons.

"I am excited to take this next step in my coaching career and I couldn't be happier with it taking place at Middlebury College," said Paquette. "The chance to coach at a great institution, in a great program, all while being close to family is something that I am really looking forward to."

During his two seasons in Castine, Paquette coached two All-New England Football Conference selections and guided a defense that was in the top three in fumble recoveries and defensive touchdowns in the New England Football Conference (NEFC) last season. In his position as the Mariners strength and conditioning coach, Paquette provided sport-specific workout plans for each of the school's athletic teams.

Prior to Maine Maritime, he served for six seasons at Salve Regina University. Paquette coached all areas of the defense, including the defensive line, linebackers and defensive backs. He was also the team's video coordinator, while coaching special teams.

Before entering collegiate coaching, Paquette served as the linebackers and running backs coach for a year at the Pingree School.

Paquette is a certified member of the United States of America Weightlifting (USAW) program as well as the Amercian Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

A 2007 graduate of Endicott College with a degree in sports management, Paquette was a three-year letterwinner on the Gulls football team and also a two-time Academic All-Conference selection.

He was a two-sport athlete at Middlebury Union High School, playing both football and lacrosse.