By Jim Fenton, Brockton Enterprise

The Massachusetts Maritime Academy men’s soccer program had four head coaches in its first four years of existence from 1989-92.

So Bob Corradi, who was the Buccaneers’ director of athletics, wanted to make sure the next head coach stayed around for a few seasons.

He hired Greg Perry, who coached the boys team at Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High for three seasons, hoping the Bridgewater native would stay around for a few seasons.

“They had gone through four coaches in four years, and on a handshake, Bob Corradi said, ’You’ve got to promise me you can stay here for four years and then you can move on,‴ said Perry.

Four years have turned into a quarter of a century for Perry.

The 1989 Westfield State graduate is now in his 25th season running the Mass. Maritime men’s soccer program, lasting a lot longer than the first four coaches did.

“I never thought in a million years I’d be here for 25 years,″ said Perry. “I never left. What a ride.″

Perry returns to his hometown Saturday afternoon when the Buccaneers, tied for second place in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference at 3-2, face Bridgewater State University.

Mass. Maritime (5-8 with a three-game winning streak entering Tuesday night’s game against Coast Guard) is bidding for a fifth straight trip to the MASCAC tournament.

Perry, a three-time conference coach of the year, was a physical education major at Westfield State and followed in the coaching footsteps of older brother Mike Perry, the longtime boys basketball and girls soccer coach at Cardinal Spellman High.

“It was in my blood,″ said Perry of coaching. “I always went to practice with my brother Mike at Spellman. Before I even got out of college, I was coaching at Glenn Tufts’ baseball camp.″

Perry, who is also an assistant baseball coach at Mass. Maritime, has enjoyed his time at the school by the Cape Cod Canal.

“They’re the same kids I had in 1993, quality, quality kids,″ said Perry, who also coached the junior varsity at Cardinal Spellman. “My kids work hard and buy into my system. We’ve had a good run, getting in the playoffs the last four years. We’re right in the thick of things again this year.

“I’m 50 years old and I still try to run with my kids every day. That way there they don’t complain. It keeps them motivated if a 50-year-old guy can do it, so I better be able to do it.″

The next game is a homecoming for Perry as he goes against BSU.

“I love going back. the family’s there, they all come out to watch the game,″ he said. “I still play indoors in Bridgewater and keep in touch with my old classmates.″