When St. Mary’s High School closed its doors forever in June, Pat Laguerre had no idea what would happen next to him. After all, Laguerre has spent most of his life at the tiny school on Third Street, first as a student-athlete and finally as a teacher and a coach in both basketball and baseball.
The school closed. Laguerre was out of a job. Plain and simple.
“I was actually looking for a teaching position first, because I needed a job,” Laguerre said. “I was busy coaching the Jackie Robinson RBI [15-and-under] team and that was a good distraction for me, not worrying about what lay ahead. But I needed a job more than anything.”
Laguerre had made a few phone calls about possible teaching positions and had some discussions. But nothing at all that was etched in stone.
Out of the blue, St. Peter’s Prep athletic director Rich Hansen called Laguerre to see if he had any interest in the recently vacated head baseball coaching position, left open when former coach Kevin Wendolowski resigned.
“I knew more of him than I knew him,” Laguerre said of Hansen. “I had seen him at field meetings in Jersey City and it was frankly like one coach to another. He called me and we spoke at length. We found out that we had a lot in common philosophically.”
“He has a skill set and a structure as a head coach,” Hansen said of Laguerre, who was the head baseball coach at St. Mary’s for the last 13 seasons. “He has a great experience dealing with kids. I think kids are going to work hard for him. Combine all of it and I think it will lead to great things.”
Laguerre was officially named the head baseball coach at Grand and Warren Monday afternoon.
“It’s funny how things work out,” Hansen said. “It’s a great fit for Pat and a great fit for us. I think the kids are going to respond to his style and it’s a style that has worked well for a very long time. He has time-tested experience and success.”
Laguerre, a Jersey City native who was a basketball standout at St. Mary’s and later Jacksonville University, knows that the expectations are high at the Prep.
“I think all things fell into place and it’s a nice spot,” Laguerre said. “I know things will be a little different now with higher expectations. I know what comes with the territory. But my expectations are going to be the same as they were when I was coaching St. Mary’s. I know that I’m stepping into the fire and the expectations of me are going to be high. It’s not going to be easy, but I’m ready for the challenge.”
Laguerre said that he will retain former Chicago Cubs organizational pitcher Dave Weber on his coaching staff like he did at the Prep for the last few seasons and have former NJIT head coach Brian Callahan and his assistant at St. Mary’s last year, Wilmer Mendez, serve as assistants…
Hoboken has named Derek Picinni, a former basketball standout at Ridgefield High School and Rowan University, to become the new basketball coach, replacing the retired Buddy Matthews. Picinni is a young man, only 23 years old, but he has the confidence of the Board of Education that he’s the right man for the job…
St. Peter’s Prep football tight end Michael Giacone, considered to be among the best pass-catching tight ends in the country, gave a verbal commitment to Rutgers last week.
Giacone’s commitment to Rutgers can finally put to rest any thought that Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano doesn’t recruit Prep kids, because he’s now landed Savon Huggins, Keith Lumpkin and now Giacone from Grand and Warren in the span of 11 months…
In fact, Schiano was quoted as saying he’s “developed a pipeline between Jersey City and Piscataway.” Now, did anyone ever think they would read those words? Maybe we’re dealing with a softer, gentler and more upfront Schiano these days…
It’s really nice to read that nine former Lincoln High School products are heading off to play college football at some level, but most are headed to either a junior college or a prep school. Until the Lions can send one to a legitimate four-year school, then they can be applauded for taking their players to the next level. Right now, it is nothing more than window dressing. But it should be an inspiration to the current players to hit the books harder and get the necessary grades to get to a four-year school…
Local boxer Danny McDermott’s attempt to win the World Boxing Union championship has been put on hold, after the Jersey City native and North Bergen resident’s eye was severely cut while sparring for his title bout, slated for last Saturday in Atlanta. The fight has been temporarily rescheduled for Aug. 12 and may be moved north and even local… — Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.