Two North Jersey softball teams have new coaches after rare in-season departures
Two Top 25 North Jersey softball programs have new coaches after unusual early-season changes.
Bergenfield coach Nick Pampaloni stepped down a few days before the season started, and the team has been guided by assistants. Former Dumont coach Kendal George was approved as new head coach by the district’s Board of Education on Monday night.
DePaul coach Cyndi Covello retired from DePaul last week and was replaced by long-time assistant coach Frank Zampese.
Bergenfield is 2-1 and ranked No. 10 in the latest North Jersey Top 25 rankings.
“I loved coaching the girls and couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls these past five years,” Pampaloni said in a text message to NorthJersey.com.
Pampaloni went 66-43 in four years as head coach of the Bears. They reached the Bergen County Tournament quarterfinals last year and shared the Big North National championship with Old Tappan.
Bergenfield athletic director Darren Massey referred questions to the superintendent. It’s standard policy for the district not to comment on personnel matters.
George had great success at Dumont, winning 103 games in six seasons and lead the Huskies to four Big North National division titles until leaving after the 2022 season. She was planning on attending the Bears' game Tuesday against Indian Hills, and coaching Wednesday against Demarest.
“I am proud to take over a well-established Bergenfield team,” George said in a text message. “Everyone has been extremely welcoming and I am excited to get to know each of the players strengths in order to continue an already successful season.”
The Bears also play at Dumont on April 17.
“It will be a unique experience,” George said. “Many of the girls know each other, so I am sure they will all work hard in order to win.”
DePaul is ranked No. 13 in the latest rankings and is 3-2 after losing to Paramus Catholic on Monday.
In an email to NorthJersey.com, Covello called her decision a ‘personal choice,’ but did not wish to elaborate publicly on her move. DePaul athletic director John McKenna confirmed Covello’s departure.
Covello served as an assistant at DePaul under Sue Parler, who stepped down in 2022 after 432 wins and seven Passaic County titles. Covello was elevated to head coach in 2023 and went 15-11 last season. After not coaching anywhere in 2023, Parler is now an assistant coach at Wallington.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ softball: 2 teams have new coaches after rare in-season departures
