Former Raider assistant coach and player set to take helm
By: Rudy Brandl
Vincent Coviello was named Hillsborough High’s new head football coach at Monday night’s Hillsborough Township Board of Education meeting.
Coviello, 40, replaces Rick Mantz, who resigned in March after 12 years at the helm.
Currently the HHS head boys’ lacrosse coach, Coviello said he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to take over the football program. A former football player and assistant coach at Hillsborough, Coviello feels a special bond to the team.
"I’ve always wanted to be a head football coach," said Coviello, who served as Mantz’s defensive coordinator in 2002-03. "I’ve been at Hillsborough for a long time and this is where I want to stay."
Coviello has been teaching health and physical education in the Hillsborough school district for 11 years. During that time, he held stints as an assistant football and wrestling coach and has served as both the assistant and head boys’ lacrosse coach. He’ll make a decision about his future with the lacrosse program at the end of the season.
Hillsborough High athletic director Mike Fanizzi, who led the committee that interviewed several candidates for the head coaching job, is happy to have Coviello taking charge of the program.
"Vinnie is a quality human being and he’ll treat the kids properly," Fanizzi said. "He’s extremely knowledgeable in the sport. He’s a Hillsborough guy and he’s got roots in the program."
"It’s close to home," Coviello added. "Growing up here and playing here makes it really personal. It’s something I really take close to heart. Coaching and teaching at Hillsborough really means a lot to me."