By Stephen SpiewakMaxPreps.comNew Jersey’s all-time winningest high school football coach announced his retirement on Monday.
Warren Wolf, head coach of Brick (N.J.) for 51 seasons, decided to call it a career just days after he led the Green Dragons to a 34-27 win against cross-town rival Brick Memorial on Thanksgiving morning.
Respected for his kind, humble personality as much as his coaching intellect, Wolf leaves with a 361-122-11 career record. According to the
Star Ledger, he endured only three losing seasons in his tenure, while claiming eight undefeated seasons and six state titles.
“I’m going to step back now and do things I want to do when I want to do them,” the 81-year old Wolf told the
Star Ledger.
He announced his retirement in a ceremony held at the high school where he spent more than half a century. Since it first opened its doors in 1958, Brick has had only one coach.
Wolf’s level of commitment and passion for coaching through the years was unmatched.
“I remember every detail of my career because football is my life and has been my dedication,” Wolf said.
Brick’s administration has yet to name a successor. Whoever gets the nod will have mighty shoes to fill, as Wolf’s iconic status in the community of Brick Township and across the entire state of New Jersey transcends coaching.
“He’s a role model for so many people and has influenced so many,” said Rich Caldes, current Brick principal and former Brick football player. “He always wanted the best for his boys and is the most unselfish man I’ve ever met.”
While he will have much more free time in his retirement, there is little doubt that Wolf will miss coaching, and it will hardly seem normal when the Green Dragons take the field next September without him on the sideline.
Said Wolf, “It’s been a marvelous 51 years.”
