Coach | 2025 Notre Dame S Target Ethan Long Can Do It All
Sean Stanley would know what it looks like.
The defensive coordinator at Brunswick School was a four-year letterwinner at Penn State as a defensive end, starting 20 games for the Nittany Lions from 2009-12.
So, when Stanley – who also spent several years coaching defense at Wesleyan University – says 2025 Connecticut safety Ethan Long has what it takes to succeed at the highest level of college football, he would know.
“Ethan's got the length, the speed, the athleticism, that he can play a lot of positions on the field,” Stanley says.
“He could be our best corner, he could be our best safety. He could play linebacker for us.”
Stanley compared the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Long to former Clemson star and current New York Giants defender Isaiah Simmons.
“He's that kind of jack of all trades, but right now he's going to be a great safety for us,” said Stanley. “He's really kind of the glue of our defense and he's the one who sets the tone physically and by example in everything that we need to do.”
Off the field, Stanley said Long made a smooth transition into Brunswick’s school and team a year ago.
“He became a part of the Brunswick community last year and I think he was embraced with open arms,” the coach said. “I think that's the great thing about the community first. Then, he bought into what we do. He bought into Courage, Honor, Truth, which is our motto here at Brunswick.
“Now, he's a shining example of the standard and what we want to be as a football player, football team and overall community.”
Long saw his recruiting profile explode over the spring, adding offers from schools like Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin among several others in a matter of weeks. But it didn’t change who he was as a person, according to Stanley.
“He stayed consistent,” the coach said. “I haven't been coaching high school football long. I was in the college ranks, but out of all the players I've ever coached, he's the most determined on setting himself up for success and not getting too far ahead of himself and seeing the press clippings or the things written about him.
“It's just his daily process of working as hard as he can to become the best player he can be.”
Stanley is challenging Long to be even more of a leader for Brunswick this season.
“Understanding that we go how he goes,” said Stanley. “If he doesn't carry this team defensively, then it could be a long season.
“But if he sets the tone, sets the example of how to do things the right way on and off the field, I think everyone will follow him because he's that special of a player and that special of a kid who people gravitate to him when he's positive.”
And based on how the preseason has gone thus far, Long seems prepared to do just that.
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