Nick Gregorio was approved by the Wall Township Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday, April 17, 2012 as the high school’s head football coach, high school athletics director Tom Ridoux said.
“We liked everything about Nick’s candidacy,” said Ridoux, who mentioned Gregorio’s feelings about prioritizing both athletics and academics and building a relationship with the youth football program in town.“We were just very impressed by his personality and his passion. We think he’s a great fit for Wall.”
Gregorio, 32, who was the offensive line coach at Kean University in his second stint there, was previously the head coach at A.L. Johnson in 2009 and 2010, when his teams went 11-9.
A.L. Johnson qualified for the NJSIAA Central Group II playoffs in 2009 and lost to Rumson-Fair Haven 23-0 in the first round.
Gregorio, who attended New Providence High School and Montclair State University and was also a member of Kean’s staff in 2007 and 2008, replaces Chris Barnes, who resigned in February to spend more time with his family.
“I think it’s a good fit academically, the type of school, and then football-wise, the program and the tradition that they’ve had here is something that attracted me to the position,” said Gregorio, who was also a standout in the shot put in both high school and college.