By: Neil Hay
When the 2005 football season rolls around, a new head coach will be prowling the Hightstown sidelines.
Skip Edwards, who guided the football program the last four years and returned the Rams to the state playoffs with back-to-back appearances the last two seasons, will not be retained. It is expected that defensive coordinator Ed Kopp will replace Edwards, pending the approval of the East Windsor Board of Education at their June meeting.
The explanation given for Edwards’ departure is that Hightstown Athletic Director Gary Bushelli wanted someone "in the building" who would have direct and daily contact in school with the players. Edwards is a health and physical education teacher at Holmdel High School. Kopp is a science teacher at Hightstown.
Despite the time and distance considerations, as well as the medical condition of his son Michael, Edwards was able to be at the high school everyday for practice and games, and was attentive to all the details that were part and parcel with developing and sustaining a winning football program. Beyond that, Edwards devoted much of his time to off-field activities that helped raise the profile of Hightstown High football in the community and Mercer County.
Before Edwards came on board, Hightstown had not been in the playoffs since 1977. In his four years here, he compiled a 19-21 mark and helped lead the team to three division titles. Under Edwards, the Rams came close but were unable to defeat area powers Notre Dame and Hamilton. Still, Hightstown football gained new respect for its preparation, dedication and on-field performances.
In a telephone interview Tuesday night, Edwards expressed only positive feelings for the community he became very much a part of. And he wanted it understood that the decision to leave the area was not his.
"I can’t say enough good things about the Hightstown players, the Hightstown parents, and the Hightstown community," said Edwards. "The (head coaching) job was taken away from me. I gave those kids everything I could. I just didn’t walk the walk. I did it too.
"The Hightstown football players are great kids. They want somebody to give them good leadership and direction. It was a good marriage starting in 2001. We won the conference three years, and had only one bad season (2002).
"I love coaching them, being around them," continued Edwards. "They picked me up at a time in my life when I needed to be picked up, at a tragic time in my life. The parents were very supportive, they do whatever needs to be done. It is not just about their sons, but about all the players."
Edwards kindled a spirit and enthusiasm in Hightstown football that had been missing for sometime. The rapport between players and coaches was genuine. Beyond X’s and O’s, there were other contributions which helped elevate the program and its student-athletes.
"When I went in we didn’t have a parents club. We now have such great things as a football banquet at the end of the year. At the banquet the seniors get special awards. We started a tradition of the seniors meeting all the players on the field at the end of the year, and giving the seniors their jerseys with the player’s name on it. A lot of nice things were started and are in the works. It takes a lot of time. I’d give them anything. Every Tuesday night I’d attend the (Delaware Valley) 12th Man dinner.
"We had fifteen kids playing in the Sunshine Classic football game (including six this year), over twenty make all conference, Touchdown Club winners and athletes of the week. The program’s been built up. I don’t know what direction the program will take. Whoever takes the program has to make time for the kids. I am not mad, I am very sad. I’ll miss the kids. After what happened to Michael, it is not the end of the world. The support the kids gave me and Michael in 2003 and 2004 was outstanding. I’ll never forget the people of Hightstown and what they did for me."
Reached the next morning at the high school, Bushelli emphasized that having a head football coach in the building on a daily basis was a win-win situation for the program and its players.
"There was an applicant for the position inside the building and we want as many coaches as possible inside the building," said Bushelli.
At the end of the 2004 football season only Kopp and assistant coach Andy Elko were on the Hightstown teaching staff.
"We want coaches inside the building so they have direct access with the players," so that matters such as communication, personal problems, visits by college coaches, and others situations can be addressed quickly.
"This is no reflection on Skip Edwards. He did a good job with the program, gave us success on the field, and developed great interest in the program."
A parents-only meeting was scheduled for Wednesday night in the high school, when Bushelli was to explain to the football parents why Edwards was not being retained and why Bushelli was turning inward for a new head coach. Bushelli admitted that all those in attendance would not initially agree with the athletic director’s decision to take the football program in another direction.
"I think there will be some hostility, but once they hear it is in the best interest of the kids and the direct communication it will generate between the head coach and the players, I hope they will understand. I do not see any problem," said Bushelli.
Bushelli repeated that "Mr. Kopp has been recommended but not yet been approved" by the Board.
Bushelli said, "I want to thank (Edwards) for what he did, a lot of positives for the program. But if we have an opportunity to hire a qualified applicant inside the building, we ought to do that."
Nor did Bushelli see any adverse effects the change would have on Hightstown football.
"I do not see any drop-off in the program next year as a result of a change in coaches. We will be competitive in a positive way and I expect a good turnout. I have full faith in Mr. Kopp."

