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In search of a coach who can turn around a program that hasn’t produced a winning season since 2009, Bergen Catholic pegged Brack Healy as their new head coach on Monday. The former Fair Lawn coach is asked to right the ship for a program that went 7-13-3 in its fourth consecutive losing season in 2012-13.
Healy is no stranger to being asked to revive a struggling program. In 2009-10, he was hired as head coach of Montclair Kimberly Academy, a program that went 5-19 in the season prior to Healy’s arrival. In his first season as head coach, Healy’s squad turned in a 14-7-4 record and led the school to its first state tournament game victory since 1995. Once again being asked to return a team to success is a challenge Healy is excited for. “I'm looking forward to this great opportunity," Healy says to the Bergen Record. “I fully accept the charge of returning Bergen Catholic to where it belongs, among the elite programs in the state of New Jersey.” "We are truly blessed to have the opportunity to have our Ice Hockey program led by such an outstanding, young, dynamic coach as Coach Healy, and I believe under his leadership this program will be successful in every way." - Jack McGovern, Bergen Catholic Atheltic Director
Healy left Montclair Kimberly to take the head coach position at Fair Lawn prior to the 2010-11 season, where his success continued. In three seasons as head coach of the Cutters, Healy led the team to the state tournament each season. His teams compiled 35 victories over those three seasons, including a 14 win season this past winter. Healy’s success caught the attention of Bergen Catholic Athletic Director Jack McGovern, who sees Healy as the ideal coach to turn the program around. “When we look to fill a coaching opening here at Bergen Catholic, we look for intelligent, knowledgeable, and passionate people whose order of priorities agrees with ours, and who desires to chase excellence in every aspect of their lives,” McGovern reveals in a statement. Coach Healy absolutely embodies this philosophy, from his emphasis on academics, leadership, and hard work, to his communication skills and vision for our program.” Entering the notoriously tough Gordon Conference, consisting of powerhouse schools Christian Brothers Academy, Don Bosco, and 2013 NJSIAA Non-Public Champion Delbarton, Healy will have a lot of work to do to return to the level of success that Bergen Catholic teams are accustomed to. Bergen Catholic won state ice hockey championships in 2001 and 2003, and was the Gordon Conference champions in 2004, but has remained devoid of any title since. The prospect of bringing the program back to prominence is a task that Healy is eager to begin. “I'm pumped," Healy tells The Star-Ledger. “A lot of kids coming in. I'm already looking forward to it.” |
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