When you play in the highly-competitive New Jersey Super Football Conference United North Red Division, you’re always looking for an edge.
Last week, St. Joseph Regional (Montvale), which finished No. 19 in the nation last year in the High School Football America Top 50 that is created with our proprietary algorithm, picked-up what should be a big edge, especially when it plays Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ). The Green Knights hired former DBP defensive coordinator Dan Marangi to head-up the St. Joe’s defense in 2017.
Marangi, who spent a total of 18 years at the Ramsey school, is known as the architect of the Bosco defense that won two USA Today Super 25 national championships in 2009 and 2011. The 2011 defense allowed only 8.3 points per game; the 2009 team gave-up 10.9 point per contest.
“If you look at the course of the 18 years that he’s been there, the Don Bosco defenses have been as sound and well-coached as anybody we’ve played against,” said Augie Hoffmann, head coach of St. Joseph. “He brings toughness. That program (Don Bosco) for the last 18 years has been about toughness and he brings that here. I’m excited to have him on-board and the kids are jacked-up and pumped.”
Hoffman added, “His kids (at Bosco) were always well coached. His defenses had very few breakdowns.”
I’m extremely excited to join great program and I’m looking forward to helping continue the legacy and tradition of this awesome program! https://t.co/LrIuuivLiV
— Coach Marangi (@CoachMarangi) May 5, 2017
Marangi’s move to St. Joe’s is the result of Bosco deciding to not bring back legendary head coach Greg Toal, who owned a record of 178-29, with nine state championships during his time at DBP.
When the announcement was made in February, rumors circulated that Toal was not ready to retire and was forced-out. Mike Teel, who served as Toal’s offensive coordinator over the last two season, was named as his school’s new head coach on the same day it released Coach Toal.
Marangi decided not to be a part of Teel’s staff.
Don Bosco Prep president, Father Jim Heuser addressed the situation with the following statement:
“Finally, there has been much discussion concerning the announcement of Coach Toal’s retirement before and during last week’s press conference. Prior to the press conference last Thursday, representatives of the Board of Trustees, including our Board Chairman, met with Coach Toal concerning my decision and left with a handshake and the clear understanding that he had agreed to retire from his position. Respecting that decision, we communicated that to our students, faculty, and other interested parties last week, as Coach Toal was advised was our intent. We were surprised to later learn that Coach Toal had apparently reversed his decision.”
Marangi takes-over for Bill Johnson, who retired after leading SJR to the Non-Public Group 3 title in 2016. Last year, the Green Knights allowed 19.5 points per game.
Hoffmann is hoping that Marangi will help St. Joe’s snap a two-game losing streak to Bosco. DBP won last year’s regular season game 31-14 and also beat the Green Knight’s 21-10 in the 2015 Non-Public Group 4 title.
This year St. Joe’s will play Don Bosco at home on October 7th.
