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SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Veteran named Vikings head football coach

By Ed Birch, Special Writer
   Joseph Goerge, a veteran high school level head football coach has been appointed to the position at South Brunswick High School.
   Coach Goerge, 59, will succeed Rick Mantz, who resigned from the position recently for personal reasons.
   Monday night, the Board of Education approved both the nomination for head football coach and a teaching position at the high school for a total compensation package of $94,429 per year.
   Mr. Goerge comes to the district sporting a 130-82 record after 30 seasons on the gridiron.
   His past head coaching experience lists stints at Msgr. Farrell for six years and 10 years at Port Richmond, both in Staten Island, New York.
   In addition, he has worked for one year at the Merchant Marine Academy,12 years at Franklin High School in Somerset County, and most recently, the Jonathan Dayton School in Springfield for 6 years.
   In his most successful year as coach, he was 56-37 during his tenure at Port Richmond High School.
   During his tenure, his teams also made many several appearances in post season divisional, and championship playoffs.
   At Springfield, Coach Goerge resurrected a football program that had been non-existent for five years, according to published reports.
   Joe Porter, a star performer at Rutgers University and now in his seventh season in the National Football League, is a former high school star for Coach Goerge while he ran the Franklin High School program.
   Mr. Porter presently is a cornerback with the Oakland Raiders.
   Mr. Goerge received his Bachelor’s Degree from Richmond College in New York City.
   He later earned his Master’s Degree from Wagner, and his Supervision Certification from the College of Staten Island.
   ”My main focus has been on developing a program that will teach boys how to become men of substance by focusing on relationships and a cause beyond themselves,” Coach Goerge said. “The core of my program will be to establish player-coach relationships.”
   Coach Goerge has already had a meeting with senior star receiver T.J. Taylor who has already committed to Rutgers. And has impressed Coach Goerge.
   ”It is more important to be a good kid, rather than a good player,” Coach Goerge said. “I met the man who has attained both feats.”
   Coach Goerge said he is coming into a great program.
   ”Coach Mantz did a phenomenal job and has left me with a program that is all set for me to take over,” Coach Goerge said. “I am very excited at this time with the program that Coach Mantz has left in place. I wish him well.”
   Coach Goerge said he has also already met with high school Principal Tim Matheney, next year’s Acting Principal Peter Varela, and some key members of the Vikings football community.
   He will be starting the conditioning season with the full squad next week, and will also be meeting with local Pop Warner football club representatives as he hits the ground with his motor running.
   Coach Goerge is married to his wife Robyn, a teacher in the state, and has four children.
   His daughters, Jennifer, who teaches in Boston and Courtney, who is a dancer.
   His sons, Michael and Jason, are expected to be part of his coaching staff.
   In addition to following local college football in the area, Coach Goerge is a fan of the New York Giants.