By Melissa L. Gaffney, Staff Writer
ALLENTOWN The Upper Freehold Regional school board has accepted the resignation of former Allentown High football head coach Patrick Dowling, and approved Matthew Nemeth as the interim head coach.
Mr. Dowling, 45, of Howell, was recently hired by the Brick Township School District as head coach of the Brick Township High School varsity football team, following the retirement of 81-year-old Warren Wolf. Mr. Dowling also was hired as a special education teacher there.
Mr. Wolf announced his retirement in December 2008 after coaching the football team for 51 years, even after he retired as assistant superintendent in 1992, said Rick Handchen, the high school athletic director. Following the May 14 appointment of Mr. Dowling, effective May 21, Mr. Wolf withdrew his resignation because he learned that the board hired someone from outside the district, Mr. Handchen said, but the Board of Education did not accept the withdrawal.
At previous board meetings, Mr. Wolf and hundreds of his supporters voiced opposition to hiring someone outside the school district, Mr. Handchen said. Of the eight candidates who were interviewed, the athletic director said, two were from the current coaching staff.
While Mr. Dowling’s appointment in Brick drew public controversy, the Board of Education’s vote to hire him was unanimous, sans one board member who abstained because he works in the Howell Township School District, where Mr. Dowling is a Board of Education member. Mr. Handchen said Mr. Dowling has never worked in the Brick district before and has no prior connection there.
Mr. Dowling was hired immediately as the football coach and can hold workouts any time, said Mr. Handchen; more formal season workouts begin in July.
”The Brick tradition here is very strong,” Mr. Handchen said. “The program has been done the same way for 51 years. I’m hoping Mr. Dowling comes with a lot of passion for the school, because he’s going to need it.”
Following Mr. Wolf will be a challenge, Mr. Handchen said, as the coach was “one of a kind.”
”I’m hoping he (Mr. Dowling) comes in and does things his way,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy.”
The Allentown High football team had a 2-8 record last season under Mr. Dowling’s guidance, and that season ended the Redbirds’ 31-game losing streak.
In the meantime, the Upper Freehold Regional School District continues to interview candidates for the head coaching position.
The selection process includes both internal and external review committees, Athletic Director Brian Irwin said during the May 20 board meeting.
As Mr. Dowling was both a coach and a teacher within the district, there are consequently two positions open following his resignation.
Although he is dually certified in mathematics and special education, Mr. Dowling had an interest in football that made him an ideal candidate, Superintendent Dick Fitzpatrick said.
”We can still hire someone who has the desire (to coach) even though there may not be (teaching) openings to fit their qualifications,” he added.
Dr. Fitzpatrick said Mr. Nemeth, a health and physical education teacher, expressed no interest in seeking the head coaching position, which is why the district does not have a problem with him stepping up during the transition.
”Right now, because of my concern about the kids, I have asked if he would do this as a personal favor,” Dr. Fitzpatrick said. “Then we could determine the (monetary) amount of his compensation.”
The superintendent said Mr. Nemeth’s dedication speaks to the content of his character, and that having a “go-to” person while the school interviews candidates will be important for the athletes, who are often concerned with their fitness schedule.
