3/9/2011 - (Mugs Media Exclusive) Paternostro Steps Down
The end of an era has come to Sussex County sports and what an era it was.
After 43 seasons of stalking the sidelines and a state-record 373 wins, Pope John football coach Vic Paternostro has stepped down as the head coach of the Lions, Mugs Media confirmed today.
According to Monsignor Kieran McHugh of Pope John, the veteran mentor has retired due to health concerns and the wildly successful program is in the process of looking for a new head coach.
Wow. I can’t believe I just typed those words.
But it is true and Pope John and Sussex County football will never be the same without the Old Lion roaming the sidelines in his cart, barking at his players, assistants and referees.
Paternostro, who has battled numerous health issues over the years, including a chronic hip condition and diabetes, is 66 and leaves with an astonishing 373-67-5 (.838) record with 20 state titles, 19 Sussex County Interscholastic League championships and two Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference division crowns, including last season’s American title.
The Lions went 10-1 in Paternostro’s final campaign in 2010 and fell in the Non-Public Group 3 semifinals to eventual state champ Holy Spirit 34-27 in a heartbreaking defeat.
Many felt that last fall’s squad gave the veteran mentor his best chance of winning his first-ever Group 3 crown after dominating Group 2 and the old Parochial B for decades. The Lions came up short, but Paternostro consistently said that last year’s group was one of the best he ever coached for many reasons.
As I write this I’m still a little stunned that this has happened. My first concern is for his health. I hope he bounces back and has an opportunity to come watch the Lions without the stress of getting ready to play every week.
That being said, it blows my mind that the most recognizable sports figure in Sussex County has hung up his whistle.
The news also stunned Don Smolyn, Lenape Valley’s Hall-of-Fame coach, who built a great, but cordial rivalry with Paternostro in his 30-plus seasons in Stanhope.
“I couldn’t imagine if we ever played Pope John again that he wouldn’t be on the sideline,” said Smolyn, now Sussex County’s all-time winningest coach with a 274-117-14 mark.
“It is a blow to New Jersey high school football,” he added. “I don’t think you will ever see another figure at either a parochial or public school like him ever again. Look at how many years he has coached. The young guys today will never last that long.”
Smolyn added that Paternostro was the barometer all coaches measured themselves against. “You measured yourself as a coach when you went against him,” Smolyn said. “It was a motivation.”
He added that he had great respect for Paternostro and he enjoyed coaching against him in what was a rivalry that wasn’t adversarial.
As I have stated in previous blogs, I grew up in Vernon and your main goal, as it was and still is for every team PJ plays, is to beat the Lions. But as I started to cover the Lions on a professional basis back in the late 1980s I came to appreciate what Paternostro has done not only for PJ, but for football in our county.
Yes, I’m sure there are a lot of PJ-haters out there rejoicing at the news, and I’m sure they have their reasons. But just think, and I can’t prove this with numbers, how many kids from other schools got a look from a college scout because they were there to scout Pope John?
I know of a former Vernon player who went to Marist on the recommendation of Paternostro and I’m sure there other similar stories.
Paternostro, at least publicly, has a gruff exterior, but those closest to him say he is a Teddy Bear at heart---with very big paws and a loud roar!
Over the years, Paternostro has been very good to me and thankful for all of the coverage we have given his team. It was always fun to hear him speak at the Mugs Media Awards Banquet when the Lions were named Team of the Year, and yes, that was quite often.
He was always very funny and genuine, and I very much appreciated it. He also has a very special relationship with Jerry Morelli. The two have known each other for three decades and I know Jerry holds Vic in the highest regard, and in turn, Vic refers to Jerry as “Uncle Jerry” when he talks to Jerry in front of his squad.
Love him or hate him (there is no in-between), Paternostro has left in indelible mark on the landscape of Sussex County sports. He led the Lions to the most playoff appearances in state history with 25 and consecutive appearances with 15 (1986-1993).
He guided PJ to six straight state crowns from 1986-1991, which is incredible. Not winning a Group 3 crown I’m sure bugged him, but his record of success speaks for itself.
Warren Wolf, another legend down at The Shore, is now second on the all-time wins list with a 364-129-11 mark at Brick and now Lakewood. Wolf, who is in his early 80s, is planning to comeback to Lakewood for the 2011 season according to published reports.
Paternostro broke his old mark two years ago after Wolf left coaching for a season.
So what’s next for the Lions? This has been a question many have asked in anticipation of this day. How will the school approach the future of the program?
McHugh said the position has been posted and the school will go through the process. The most obvious candidate, and he will be mad I’m writing this, is former PJ standout and current defensive coordinator Chris Kapplemeier.
“Kappy” is an outstanding coach and led High Point to its only SCIL title back in the early 2000s. He knows the players, the PJ system, and most importantly the school and what it expects. But he has made a point to everyone who has asked him in the past that he is not interested.
We will see if he throws his hat in the ring. He currently teaches at High Point and that might be a tough sell to the High Point administration, especially that it has been reported that High Point football coach Jim Delaney’s teaching position is in jeopardy due to budget cuts.
Another candidate on staff is Dan Rosanelli. The former outstanding PJ player would also continue the tradition that Paternostro started back in the 1960s. He is young and would have the energy to take over the program.
Two other possible candidates from the PJ family are current Marist High School coach and AD Larry Arico. The former PJ star running back has coached on the collegiate level at Farleigh Dickinson-Madison (now Florham Park) and William Paterson University.
Marist went 3-7 last season under Arico.
The other name that comes to mind is another former PJ star running back Mike Beach, currently an assistant at Delbarton. Beach has head coaching experience as he was the top man at Morris Catholic for several seasons.
I just want to make it clear that these names are ones I have come up with, and to my knowledge, have not expressed an interest in the job. This is all pure speculation and food for thought.
All right, now what if the school decides to go outside the PJ circle and go for a big name coach? Well, there are two very big fish out there that would bring instant credibility.
Who are they? Former Bergen Catholic coach Fred Stengel and former Queen of Peace and Hoboken coach Ed Stinson.
They are brand names when it comes to football in the state of New Jersey. Stengel stepped down before the 2010 season after a great run at BC with a 192-49 record and nine state titles. He is currently an analyst for MSG Varsity and still works at BC.
Stinson led Hoboken to six state titles and he has a career mark of 232-72-4 in stints at Queen of Peace, Hoboken, Pascack Hills and Park Ridge.
Hiring either coach would make a huge splash in New Jersey and would send a signal that Pope John is looking to play with the Big Dogs in Don Bosco, BC, St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s.
As I said this is all pure speculation and that Vic’s health is first-and foremost on every one’s minds.
So here is to you getting better coach and I wish you all the best. Football around here just won’t be the same with out you. I still can’t believe that I’m writing this.
That’s it for now, see you on the sidelines.
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