There has been a lot of turnover in the Shore Conference boys basketball coaching ranks since the end of last season.
Several coaches took administrative positions and can no longer coach and other coaches either stepped down or were not rehired by their schools.
Regardless of how the opening came about, the Shore Conference will have a lot of new faces on the sidelines of your favorite boys basketball team.
Here is a quick recap of who your new boys basketball coach is this season.
Jason Bloom, Brick Memorial
Jason Bloom, the new varsity boys basketball coach at Brick Memorial for the 2015-2016 season
Bloom, who was appointed by the Brick Board of Education, filled a vacancy that was created when Sarluca, the former boys basketball coach, was promoted to Athletic Director earlier this year to fill the void left by Bill Bruno, who left the school district to become an assistant director at the NJSIAA.
“My coaching philosophy is pretty straight forward. I stress off the court accountability and responsibility first and foremost. Additionally we value hard work and a blue collar attitude that was instilled by Coach Fenchel, Coach Gerlufsen, and particularly Coach Sarluca,” Bloom said. “We also stress preparation and continual growth of players and coaches, and finally we emphasize (the) process not (the) results. The harder we work the process and the more success we have in that, the more our success on the court will follow.”
Bloom takes over a program that went 10-14 overall and 7-7 in the Class A South division in the 2014-2015 season.
Jason Bloom is next BM boys baskeball coach
David Zwirz, Jackson Liberty
New Jackson Liberty boys basketball coach David Zwirz
Zwirz started teaching English at Jackson Liberty High School in the 2007-2008 school year. He’s been an assistant baseball and basketball coach from 2007-2014. In 2014, he became the school’s athletic coordinator and didn’t coach in 2014 and 2015.
But now, he’ll be on the sidelines this winter for the Lions.
“Jackson Liberty is the only school I’ve worked for in my career and I’ve never been a head varsity coach of any sport before,” Zwirz said. “However, I’m ready for this challenge. I know we had five wins last season but I’m looking to change that.”
Zwirz replaces Mark Lax, who stepped down to become the school’s athletic coordinator. Zwirz was Lax’s assistant coach for seven years before getting the promotion. He inherits a squad that went 5-16 in the 2014-2015 season but if Zwirz gets his wish, Jackson Liberty will achieve some milestones in the 2015-2016 season.
Zwirz zooms into Jackson Liberty boys basketball job
John Giraldo, Matawan
John Giraldo (left) is the new varsity boys basketball coach at Matawan High School
Giraldo comes to Matawan, his first head coaching job, with an impressive background. Besides playing at Monmouth University, he played overseas, he was an assistant coach at Bloomfield Tech for a year and then was an assistant coach at Roselle Catholic for the last eight years.
“I want to build on the excitement for Matawan boys basketball. I’ve been following the program over the last couple years and coach Tom Stead did an unbelieveable job with the players,” Giraldo said. “I think I can help with that excitement having played college basketball, winning two Tournament of Champions titles and three state titles while at Roselle Catholic. I think I can bring everything I have learned from those experience to the Matawan boys basketball program.”
Boys Basketball: John Giraldo hired at Matawan High School
Ben Gamble, Mater Dei Prep
Gamble said this will be his third head coaching job after being at Cardinal McCarrick and earlier in his coaching career at Hudson Catholic. Gamble spent 14 years as an assistant coach under Hurley before ascending to the position of associated head coach before leaving to take the job at Cardinal McCarrick. Gamble also played for Hurley as a member of St. Anthony’s state championship team in 1980 and 1981.
“Kids will love to play for Ben because he will get them to believe in themselves and he will give them a formula on how to become better players and how to collectively pursue excellence,” said Bob Hurley in the Mater Dei Prep press release.
While at Cardinal McCarrick last season, Gambled played against two Shore Conference teams, Christian Brothers Academy and Red Bank , in regular season games. On Jan 2, 2015, Cardinal McCarrick shocked CBA, 62-61, at CBA and on Feb. 27, 2015, Cardinal McCarrick lost to Red Bank, 34-32, at Cardinal McCarrick
Boys Basketball: Ben Gamble speaks as new Mater Dei Prep coach
Nick Georgiou, Middletown South
Nick Georgiou was promoted from being the school’s freshman boys basketball coach to the Eagles head varsity coach for the 2015-2016 season.
He’s been with the Middletown South boys basketball program for a while, now he’s getting the chance to lead the Eagles this season.
Nick Georgiou was promoted from being the school’s freshman boys basketball coach to the Eagles head varsity coach for the 2015-2016 season.
He replaces former coach Kevin Cullen, who resigned to become the new Assistant Principal at the Bayshore Middle School in Middletown.
Boys Basketball: Middletown South promotes Nick Georgiou to head coach
Tahj Holden, Ranney School
The Ranney school announced on its twitter account that it hired former Red Bank Regional standout and Maryland Terrapin Tahj Holden as its new varsity boys basketball coach.
Mike Clemente, Central
The Central Regional Board of Education recently approved Mike Clemente as the new varsity boys basketball coach. Clemente played at Central Regional under his father Mike Clemente Sr. and graduated in 2003. He scored 1,098 points in his career at Central Regional. Clemente replaced Steve Zengel, who stepped down at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
Keith Coleman, Asbury Park
Coleman is the new varsity boys basketball coach at Asbury Park. He replaced Dave Johnson.
Sherlon Christie: schristie@gannettnj.com
