6/8/2010 - Shea Steps Down At Sparta
After a extremely successful return to the sidelines, Sparta football coach Pat Shea has decided to step down as the Spartans head football coach to concentrate on his ever-expanding duties as the school's athletic director, sources have told Mugs Media.
Shea, who was unavailable for comment at this time, coached the Spartans for a combined 15 seasons in two stints. He guided the program from 1991 to 2003 in which Sparta won three SCIL titles and went 12-0 in 2003 en route to the North 1, Group 2 state sectional title with a win over Dover at Giants Stadium.
Shea, who was inducted into the Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame last November, gave up coaching after the championship season and returned to the sidelines in 2008 where he promptly helped the Spartans share the final Sussex County Interscholastic League title with Jefferson and Pope John.
In his two stints, Shea posted a fine 102-50 (.658) mark with four SCIL crowns (2000, 2002, 2003, 2008) and the state title. The Spartans also made the state playoffs 10 times in his 15 seasons. His overall record, which includes a stint at Monsignor Donovan in Toms River, is 112-68 (.622).
According to sources, the head football postion will be posted, but right now trusted assistant coach and Sparta's outstanding defensive coordinator Frank Marchiano will run the team in the offseason until the district's board of education chooses a new coach.
I will have more on this story as it progresses.
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