I have a coming, a going and a commitment to report as I count down to Wednesday night's Athlete of the Week dinner.
First the going, Wayne Valley softball coach Jon Titmas will not be back with the Indians next year. I heard from Jon yesterday through e-mail and he confirmed for me he will not return. Not exactly sure why, I believe Jon wanted to return.
Second, congratulations to Wayne Hills tackle Chris Fonti who has verbally committed to play for Rutgers in 2010.
Third and lastly, its not every day you get to talk to a former coach in the NFL and XFL, but new Demarest football coach Tony Mottola has those credentials.
Mottola worked for 5 years with the L.A. Raiders (yes, they were the L.A. Raiders for a while) serving in multiple roles....and had access to some of the greatest players the game has ever known. He worked under three different head coaches, including Art Shell and Joe Bugel, and worked under John Fox when Fox was the defensive coordinator for the Raiders.
When Jon Gruden came in, he cleaned house and Tony moved back East where he worked for 2 seasons on the college and prep level. Then he got a phone call through one of his Raider connections and was the defensive coordinator for the NY-NJ Hitmen of the ill-fated XFL.
After the XFL died, he looked around at the "Big 3" St. Joe's, Bergen Catholic and Bosco, and was hired at St. Joe's almost on the spot. He worked under Tony Karcich for 4 years as defensive coordinator and then left to become the head coach at Ridge HS where he has been the last 3 years.
Now he takes over at Demarest for Scott Rubinetti who left for Lyndhurst.
Tony has 2 young kids and lives in Bergen County, he likes being closer to home and loves the situation at Demarest. He did admit its a little late in the game, so he is going to retain what's left of the staff. He is meeting with the kids Tuesday night.
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