After 15-years, veteran Glen Rock football coach goes out on his own terms
Jim Kurz wants everyone to know that this was his decision.
The veteran Glen Rock football coach stunned the North Jersey football community with his decision to step down last week.
“This was 100 percent my choice and decision, 100 percent on my terms and I am 100 percent at peace,” Kurz said Thursday night. “People have asked me if everything is OK. It is. This has been my life, but it truly was my choice to leave on my own terms.”
Kurz won 87 games in his 15-year tenure with the Panthers, leading them to the playoffs 10 times and to a pair of sectional finals.
But in North Jersey, Kurz was known as more than just a good coach. He was the type of coach who would run across the field and console a losing coach after a bad call as soon as the game ended. Every year during the preseason, Kurz would talk more about the message and theme his team had adopted rather then whether his quarterback had a Division I arm.
“It was always more than just about winning football games,” Kurz said. “Our goal was simple, it was to use football as a tool to teach our players life lessons to help build successful futures. We tried to create a family atmosphere and act with class. It was about the relationships and giving students the greatest possible experience, like I had when I was in school.”
Kurz took over the program from North Jersey legend Al Deaett, saying Deaett was one of the first people he called when he made this decision to step down. Kurz said the foundation for a good program was already there when he took over.
“I took over for a living legend who had a field named after him,” Kurz laughed. “To this day, he’s one of the big influences in my life. This has been the most amazing experience and journey I have ever been on and I am forever grateful for everything the Glen Rock football community has given me.”
Kurz will remain a teacher at Glen Rock and said if he could help the program in a smaller role, he may be interested. He sent a long note to the community explaining his decision, thanking them for their support and saying he didn’t have the ability to dedicate all the time needed to be the Panthers head coach. He said, like Deaett, he feels like he’s leaving the program in good shape. Glen Rock finished 5-5 in 2023.
As far as being a head coach again one day, Kurz said never say never.
“You never know what the future holds,” he said. “Right now, I would say no, but I might get that itch again. Right now, I am happy with the decision.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Jim Kurz: Veteran Glen Rock football coach steps down
