By Ed Birch, Special Writer
FLORHAM PARK — Mike Maccagnan, a 15-year rising star in the Houston Texans football organization, who was raised in Hightstown and later lived in Princeton, has been named as the new General Manager for the New York Jets by team owner Woody Johnson.
“I am truly amazed and really excited to come to the New York Jets. You must imagine what it is like to work for one of the premiere organizations in the NFL, and to be within 50 miles of the town that I grew up in” said the new GM, referred by the media as “Mikey Mac.”
“I really enjoyed growing up in Hightstown and have very fond memories,” said.Mr. Maccagnan, 47.
Mr. Johnson made the formal announcement Wednesday at a well-attended press conference at the Jets Training Facility in Florham Park.
The team’s owner introduced his new general manager and Head Coach Todd Bowles as “two people who will do it for our fans. These men will put our program together, and will be in sync during their tenure with our club.”
Mr. Maccagnan said he moved to Hightstown in 1971, and his family later moved to Princeton in 2000.
As a youngster, he said he attended the Peddie School in Hightstown. His father also taught history at the school and doubled as dean of students.
His mother administered the Hightstown Housing Authority in her working years.
He said he remembered “eating in the famous Hightstown Diner, in the center of the town on Mercer Street, quite often. “There is no better place to eat in New Jersey.”
“This is a dream come true. I can finally go to work and drive to see my family after work. This is really exciting,” said Mr. Maccagnan.
“When questioned if he grew up as either a Jets or New York Giants fan, the new general manager admitted under duress that “I was probably a bigger Steelers fan growing up.”
Mr. Maccagnan said he has worked as an intern for the Washington Redskins where he crossed paths with Bowles, although they really never got to know each other.
Mr. Maccagnan then moved to the Houston franchise where he served as a combine scout, area scout, pro scout, assistant director and later director of college scouting.
He did remind the assembled media that the Texans “focused on all professional football processes and he will make sure that the Jets front office staff “will all work together to improve our team.”
“My job right now is to lead the team that will get the right players who really want to win,” he said.
When asked about the present quarterback situation, he stated that he needs to further evaluate the performance of Geno Smith and review previous videotapes from past games.
In his immediate plans for the team, the newly appointed general manager told everyone that “I will be evaluating the available free agents starting next week with our front office staff. I hope that our team will be active in the upcoming free agent market.”
When asked why he considered the offer from the Jets, Mr. Maccagnan said, “I will always remember the past performances of Joe Namath and I know that the Jets made a hard run at their play last year.” He stated that “my biggest challenge is to build a good team for this area.”
Mr. Maccagnan said he is married to “his great football wife” Betty. He is hoping to find a house in the North Jersey area, but might be open to possibly moving back into the Princeton area.