NJ football: New Hudson Catholic coach Dan Hicks wants to run with the elite programs
Attention North Jersey non-public football powers: Hudson Catholic has entered the chat.
After back-to-back winning seasons and a playoff spot in Non-Public A in 2022, Hudson Catholic has hired 31-year-old Harrison native Dan Hicks as its new head coach.
Hudson Catholic, a school of about 500 students, competes at the highest level of football in New Jersey. The team went 7-3 last season under Lou Zampella, losing in the first round of the playoffs to Donovan Catholic in overtime.
“Overall the program is in a very good place,” Hicks said in an interview with NorthJersey.com. “That is a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication that Coach Zampella poured into Hudson Catholic. After speaking at length with both President Terrence Matthews and Athletic Director Nicholas Mariniello, it is evident that Hudson Catholic has the required infrastructure to be one of the premier football programs in the state of New Jersey.”
Hicks has a distinct Hudson County background, having grown up across the street from the Harrison High School football field. He was the Blue Tide head coach in 2018, and has also worked collegiately at American International College, UMass and Duke.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that generating success has less to do with the specific types of schemes you’re implementing and much more about cultivating real relationships with the players and coaches within your program,” Hicks said. “I will surround myself with assistant coaches who are good, like-minded people, and possess core value systems that are in alignment with the vision of our football program here at Hudson Catholic.”
Hudson Catholic has been on the bubble line of Non-Public A and Non-Public B, according to NJSIAA classifications (the biggest 16 schools by enrollment are placed in Non-Public A). Last year the Hawks started 5-0, defeating Paramus Catholic, and lost to eventual Non-Public B state champs DePaul and Delbarton.
“Elite culture starts with being intentional with not only how we prepare for a football season, but more importantly how we live our lives,” Hicks said. “When establishing a standard, we must intentionally focus on upholding that standard every single day. Not sometimes, not most of the time, all the time.”
After officially getting the position last week, Hicks said he met individually with as many Hudson Catholic players as he could. He wanted to get to know them at a personal level before he became their coach.
The Hawks open up the season in Week 0 against Camden Eastside at Caven Point before traveling to Paramus Catholic in Week 1.
“I think players are far more receptive when you’re willing to put your guard down and take the time to show them who you are as a person before showing them what you know about football,” Hicks said. “Anyone who knows me will tell you it doesn’t take very long to discover how passionate I am about the game of football and the intangible lessons that are attached to it. I take the role of being a football coach very seriously.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football: Dan Hicks is new Hudson Catholic football coach
