Dullea Tapped for Head Coach of SJP Basketball

Peabody's John Dullea is taking the reins of the St. John's Prep varsity basketball program.

School officials announced the promotion for Dullea, who has been an assistant coach for the Eagles since 2009, on Monday. , citing a need to focus on completing his graduate studies.

"As assistant coach, John was instrumental in bringing our basketball program into a new era of unprecedented success. We feel confident that with John leading the program as head coach, St. John’s will continue to achieve at the same high level,” said SJP Principal Keith Crowley.

"Most importantly, John is a dedicated teacher-coach, who shares our commitment to empowering young men to do their best on the court and in the classroom.” Crowley added.

Monday's announcement notes Dullea worked alongside Connolly to guide the Eagles to a state championship in 2011 and league titles in 2010, 2011 and 2013. The two also came over from coaching at Bishop Fenwick together.

Dullea tells the Boston Herald that he's not planning on making too many changes from the past five years and wants the basketball program to continue in the same direction.

Dullea is a physical education teacher at Higgins Middle School and spent four years as a junior varsity and assistant varsity basketball coach at Fenwick. He also coached for a year at St. Mary's High School in Lynn.

The Herald reports that Dullea was a standout guard at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School and Notre Dame Prep. In college, he played Division I basketball for the University of New Hampshire from 2000 to 2003 and was a member of the America East Basketball Conference All Academic Team.