Bergen Catholic football coach Nunzio Campanile chatted with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson about hiring of Greg Toal as assistant football coach. Photo Courtesy of Bergen Record
Last week, former Don Bosco Prep high school football coach Greg Toal became an assistant coach at rival Bergen Catholic.
Toal will serve as Bergen Catholic’s defensive line coach, will work with the Bergen Catholic’s special teams and will be the school’s gym teacher.
The move comes after an abrupt exit from Don Bosco Prep, where the school named the school’s former quarterback, Mike Teel as the school’s new head coach,
“We’re really excited to have him onboard,” Bergen Catholic head coach Nunzio Campanile told me on Scoop B Radio.
Bergen Catholic Coach Nunzio Campanile and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson Dropped By Scoop B Radio
“I knew it was the right fit as soon as it became available. As you know, we have a long-standing relationship and it goes back a long time.”
There are a ton of ironies in Toal’s move. Firstly, this is a homecoming for Toal who began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Bergen Catholic in 1976.
Additionally, Campanile was an offensive coordinator under Toal from 2000-2009 at Don Bosco Prep before leaving and becoming a head coach at Bergen Catholic.”I knew that we would work really well together, said Campanile.
“We share the same values, we share the same philosophies on a lot of things when it comes to football and he was in a tough spot and he helped me out many times when I was younger and I felt like it was a great opportunity for the two of us to work together.”
New Bergen Catholic assistant coaches Greg Toal and Fred Stengel conducting football practice. Photo Courtesy of the Bergen Catholic Football Twitter
Toal, held a 178-29 coaching record for 18 years at Don Bosco Prep. He also brought national championships, state championships and introduced the state of New Jersey to the notion of a traveling schedule and playing other schools with similar prestige.
While at Don Bosco, Toal’s coached players that would go on to the NFL like Ryan Grant, Corey Wootton and the Cleveland Browns’ Jabrill Peppers.
Not only was Toal added to Bergen Catholic’s coaching staff, but so was former Bergen Catholic head football coach, Fred Stengel. “Its amazing,” said Campanile.
“I have relationship with these men going a long time. With Coach Stengel, I probably met him when I was 11 years old; Coach Toal. I went to his football camp when I was a kid. I’ve known these guys a long time.”
It feels like WCW is reprising the roles of NWO, except it is the coaches edition! Somebody get Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Scott Steiner on the line!
Toal has coached high school football for 33 years and has an all-time 305-55-2 record.
He’s ranked 10th all time in wins in the state of New Jersey. He’ll bring his experience to a Bergen Catholic football team that has not won a state championship since 2004.
Bergen Catholic finished 7-4 last season and lost 28-7 to St. Peter’s Prep in the Non-Public Group 4 semifinals. The Crusaders return this season led by senior quarterback Johnny Langan, a Boston College commit, defensive end Antonio Alfano, as well as Rahmir Johnson, Javonta Jean-Baptiste and Josh McKenzie.
Mark your calendars for October 27th. Bergen Catholic will travel to the campus of Don Bosco Prep. Coach Toal will be on opposite sidelines facing his former team in what is expected to be a good game. It will be both school’s 69th meeting all-time. Don Bosco leads the series between two schools, boasting a 38-28-2 record.
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