Nutley, NJ (May 10, 2021) - At the April Board of Education meeting, the Board voted to appoint JD Vick Head Varsity Football Coach at NHS.  Vick has been with the program since 2004 and served as the interim head football coach in 2019, when Coach Steve DiGregorio was on medical leave. 

“It’s an honor to be named head coach of the Nutley High School football team,” Vick said. “This is a special place. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to coach our young men. Coach D. left some big shoes to fill.”

Coach Vick arrived in Nutley in 2004 from Tuscaloosa, Alabama where he was the head football coach of the Tuscaloosa Christian School (TCS).  While at TCS coach Vick accumulated 94 wins for their program and three state championships.   Coach Vick also served as the Athletic Director for several years at the school. 

Coach Vick will take over the reins for the 2021 season and is already planning. “Our ultimate desire is for our kids to become mature adults and keep our community thriving as spouses and parents,” Vick said. “It is about the process, more than the results. As coaches, we’ll be around these kids every day, for six months, between training in the summer and the actual season. You can’t fool a kid. They’re sharp, and they know quickly if a coach is here to make them better people, in addition to being better football players.”

Joe Piro, Director of Athletics for NHS, called Vick, “an exciting hire.” Piro continued that, “Coach Vick has been a part of this program for over 15 years.  He has put in the work and has shown our team, our staff and our community that he is ready to lead this program.”

“Coach Vick has been a pillar and a role model promoting community service throughout Nutley,” said Superintendent Dr. Julie Glazer.  

At the Board meeting when Coach Vick was approved, Board of Education President, Charles Kucinski stated, “ That beyond his extensive football experience and knowledge, Coach Vick has developed strong roots in the community.”   

“He is committed to the growth and advancement of our young men and women, and the Board and Administration are confident Coach Vick will continue to create a positive and meaningful environment in our classrooms, in our community and on the football field,” said Dr. Glazer.

Coach Vick is a history and special education teacher at Nutley High School as well as the advisor of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Patriot Club.  He also is an assistant baseball and basketball coach at NHS.