Long-time Hoboken assistant Rotondi takes over at Union Hill
After 14 years of standing next to Ed Stinson on the sidelines for Hoboken High School, Joe Rotondi decided that it was time for a change.
"I’ve been teaching in Union City for five years and I got to know a lot of the kids in Union City," Rotondi said. "When the opportunity came up, I thought about it long and hard. This was a chance for me to step up to the plate. I figured all those years I spent being an assistant would pay off. I was ready. Everything just fell into place."
Rotondi takes over the Union Hill program that was left by beleaguered former coach Marc Brignola, who was forced to resign in March, after it was revealed that he allegedly was sending sexually explicit e-mails to a student. Brignola had prior sexual assault charges against him expunged by accepting pre-trial intervention last September, which enabled him to return to his coaching position after a two-year leave of absence.
Rotondi wants the Union Hill players to realize that the days of revolving coaches are over.
"My plans are that I don’t plan on leaving for a while," Rotondi said. "These kids were in the middle of an unfortunate situation and they need some stability. They can see that in me and I gained that trust during the off-season. I had to make that clear right away."
Rotondi said that the 14 years he spent with one of the most respected coaches in the state were extremely beneficial.
"I did all the things that an assistant coach needed to do," Rotondi said. "I felt like I was always working my way up. To Eddie’s credit, he prepared me for everything, prepared me to be a head coach. He always told me that I would be a head coach some day."
Making the move to Union Hill was a tough decision.
"I went to the school, played for the school, played for Eddie," Rotondi said. "I then worked with him for so long and became great friends. It’s more than coaching associates. I had mixed emotions in my heart and it was tough to leave, but it was definitely the right career move."
Rotondi inherits a team that went 3-7 last year, but has some talent in the skilled positions. Leading the returnees are the Leonor brothers, namely senior Jerry and junior Johnny, the younger brothers of former Hiller great Heatcliff, currently playing at Rutgers. Jerry Leonor (5-9, 195) was the Hillers’ leading rusher a year ago, gaining 700 yards and scoring six touchdowns. Johnny Leonor (5-9, 180) has elusive speed and is an excellent compliment to his brother.
Senior fullback Jose Munoz (6-1, 200) is a perfect fullback for the Delaware Wing-T formation, which Rotondi plans on using, especially after spending so much time next to the master of the offense, namely Stinson.
"We plan on being a carbon copy of Hoboken," Rotondi said. "I want the players to grab and hold onto the system and the program."
The quarterback slot is up for grabs, with senior Yassiel Rivera (6-0, 175) and junior Dan Garza (5-11, 175) battling for playing time. Eduardo Hernandez (5-10, 180), a senior, will serve as the main target for either Rivera or Garza.
The offensive line features some experience, with seniors Xavier Orozia (5-10, 200), Junior Fernandez (6-0, 215) and Nate Hernandez (5-10, 225), along with sophomores Al Nunez (6-1, 215) and Edwin Londono (5-11, 205).
Defensively, the Hillers look to senior nose guard German Valencia (5-9, 200) to lead the way. Valencia was the team’s leading tackler a year ago. Carlos Orozia (6-0, 215) will join brother Xavier at defensive end. Junior Jose Medera (6-0, 270) is at defensive tackle.
The linebacking corps is headed by Munoz and Johnny Leonor, along with junior Robert Pena (6-1, 215). Senior Marcus Alaniz (5-9, 170) will play in the secondary, along with Eduardo Hernandez, Jerry Leonor and Rivera.
The Hillers open their season – and the Rotondi era – this weekend against North Bergen, which already has a win under its belt after a win against August Martin of New York last week.
"We realize that success isn’t built overnight," Rotondi said. "But I expect to build a program that will qualify every year for the state playoffs. We’re going to be competitive this year, by either sheer will or death. But the ultimate goal is to be a program that competes for championships every year."
Much like the program that Rotondi for once played and coached.