May 4, 2010
Hudson Catholic hires Marshall
Leonard Marshall is introduced as the new head coach at Hudson Catholic.
Click Here for photos from Hudson Catholic's football press conference.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
JERSEY CITY – Since retiring from the NFL in 1994, Leonard Marshall has devoted himself to a career in education – first in getting his MBA at Seton Hall University and then as a professor at the school from 2004 until 2009, teaching Sports Management and Business Finance.
For Marshall, who was introduced yesterday as the new head football coach at Hudson Catholic, it’s an opportunity to not only get more involved with the game that made him famous, but to continue his journey as an educator.
“It’s just my love for the game and missing teaching and mentoring,” said Marshall. “I’m just looking for opportunities to be involved and mentoring, teaching and trying to find ways to help develop young people.”
“One of the things that was critical to me was one how much he valued education,” athletic director Terry Matthews said. “I wanted someone who can relate to high school students and be able to touch them and reach to them in the ways that it takes a unique individual. I think those are the qualities that came out very quickly and strongly in our interview process.”
Matthews learned of Marshall’s interest in the position through a voicemail at his office two months ago. Initially, Matthews thought it was a joke sent by a friend. He quickly discovered it was anything but a joke.
The former New York Giants great does not have any formal experience as a coach. Marshall has hosted the Leonard Marshall Football Academy during the summer in South Florida and he came with a strong reference from Giants owner John Mara.
Marshall grew up in a small Louisiana town of roughly 750 people, but the North Jersey area has become a second home for him. Marshall lived in Jersey City at the beginning of his 12-year pro career and cited that connection with the region as a factor in his decision.
“I know a lot about the area,” Marshall said. “I know a lot of the people. It really made a lot of sense. I love that Jersey City is so ethnically diverse and the people are very blue collar and they work hard. Some of the kids that are involved in the program, most of them come from blue-collared families. Families that want better and they can afford to send their kids to a private, parochial school to get that quality education and move up in life.”
Marshall isn’t the only member of the football program who is returning to his roots. Joining the coaching staff is Dwayne Sabb, a former linebacker with the New England Patriots and a 1987 graduate of Hudson Catholic. Former Hawks quarterback and assistant coach Ryan O’Flaherty has also been retained.
Marshall replaces Chris Demarest, who went 2-8 in his lone season as head coach. In 2008, the Hawks went to the NJSIAA Non-Public, Group II championship game.
For 2010, they return two Hudson County Varsity All-County selections in RB Oscar Torres and LB Wilfredo Bustillo. While they are coming off a down season, the addition of Marshall has brought a jolt of energy to the program.
“When we heard he got the job, everyone was excited,” freshman RB/S Nile Trent said, admitting he was nervous when he met Marshall for the first time last Thursday. “It’s just exciting to have this guy and we’re grateful.”
Expectations are sure to go up with the hiring a Pro Bowl player who learned under coaching greats such as Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick. For Marshall, his goals lie not just on the gridiron, but as a teacher.
“The key here is for me to teach,” said Marshall, who won’t teach at the school next year, but didn’t rule out the possibility in the future. “I’m here to teach, mentor, develop trust. Have them understand what that is and the process of developing trust. Having them buy into some of my ideas and what I want for them.
“The same competition that they learn on this level, they’ll use for the rest of their lives.”