By Jim Fenton, The Enterprise (Brockton)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- His connection with the Bridgewater State University football program began four decades ago.

Joe Verria was a freshman defensive lineman for the Bears in 1976, kicking off a standout career that landed him in the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001.

After playing four seasons, then working as an assistant coach on the BSU staff for 28 years, Verria has a new assignment in the football program this year.

When the Bears opened training camp with their first practice last Wednesday, Verria was in charge as the interim head coach during his 33rd year with the team.

Verria, who has been the defensive coordinator, has taken over for Chuck Denune, who recently resigned after a charge of suspicion of domestic assault was dismissed in Brockton District Court.

Bridgewater State has turned to Verria, who has been an assistant coach since 1988, to lead the Bears in the season, which begins Sept. 2 at Curry College.

“The good thing is I’ve been associated with the football program for a long time,’’ said Verria, a native of Rhode Island who lives in Bridgewater. “I’m aware of everything that’s going on with the program. I have a tremendous staff and we’re ready to go. They’re excited to get going.

“The players have been working very hard since the last game against Carnegie Melon last November. I know the kids are hungry and I’m thrilled and proud to be able to lead the football program this year.’’

Verria is dedicated to a program that he played for back in the 1970s, then returned to in the late 1980s after getting invited to four NFL training camps and others in the United States Football League. He also worked an assistant coach at East Bridgewater High School before joining the Bears’ staff.

“It’s been a tremendous experience,’’ said Verria, a 1981 graduate of Bridgewater State. “I think any time anybody has an opportunity to be involved and coach where they played, it’s a great honor. To be involved as long as I have is even more special.’’

Verria started his coaching career working for Ron St. George at East Bridgewater, then moved to his alma mater after meeting his BSU coach, Pete Mazzaferro, while attending a Boston Breakers’ USFL game.

“I was leaving the game and bumped into him and he knew I had coached at East Bridgewater,’’ said Verria. “He said, ‘If you’re ever interested in coaching, let me know.’

“I didn’t really think much about it, and then all of a sudden, I was like, all right, this might be something.’’

Verria, who is an insurance and financial specialist at Bearce Insurance in Bridgewater, was hired for the ’88 season and has been on the Bears’ staff ever since.

He began coaching the defensive linemen and soon became the defensive coordinator. There have been 55 BSU defensive players on all-conference teams during Verria’s tenure.

Verria said he will not be making any major changes as he will remain the defensive coordinator with Middleboro native Pat Callahan and Rene Moyen remaining as the co-coordinators on offense.

“If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,’’ said Verria, who applied for the head coaching job in 2005 after Mazzaferro left. “There’s little things I might do something about, but at this point, the program’s going in the right direction. We’ve got the same offensive co-coordinators, same defensive coordinator, everything’s the same.

“For me, I’m a head coach now and you’ve got to oversee every job now. But I’m not a micro-manager. I have a good staff. They’re used to doing what they’ve been doing.’’

As for his coaching style, Verria says he will bring an “old school’’ approach.

“I think I’m going to be a coach who demands disciple, demands good character and I guess I’m going to be considered an old-school coach,’’ he said. “From what I see, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being old school.’’

Next month, when the Bears face Curry in Milton to open the schedule, Verria will be on the BSU sidelines, just like he has been the past 28 seasons.

Only this time, the role and responsibilities will be different.

“It’s going to be exciting,’’ said Verria. “You always dream about what it’d be like to be a head coach and we’ll have the team prepared and ready to go. They’ll respond.

“It’s going to be different. It’s going to be emotional. I’m part of the football alumni council, I’m an alumnus of the college. I live, eat and breathe it. We’re excited to get going.’’