JD Vick
NUTLEY, NJ — At the April Board of Education meeting, the board voted to appoint JD Vick as head varsity football coach at Nutley High School. Vick has been with the program since 2004 and served as interim head football coach in 2019, when coach Steve DiGregorio was on medical leave.
“It’s an honor to be named head coach of the Nutley High School football team,” Vick said. “This is a special place. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to coach our young men. Coach D. left some big shoes to fill.”
Vick arrived in Nutley in 2004 from Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he was the head football coach of the Tuscaloosa Christian School. While at TCS, Vick accumulated 94 wins for their program and three state championships. Vick also served as the school’s athletic director for several years.
Vick will take over the reins for the 2021 season and is already planning.
“Our ultimate desire is for our kids to become mature adults and keep our community thriving as spouses and parents,” Vick said. “It is about the process, more than the results. As coaches, we’ll be around these kids every day, for six months, between training in the summer and the actual season. You can’t fool a kid. They’re sharp, and they know quickly if a coach is here to make them better people, in addition to being better football players.”
NHS Athletics Director Joe Piro called Vick “an exciting hire.”
“Coach Vick has been a part of this program for over 15 years,” Piro said. “He has put in the work and has shown our team, our staff and our community that he is ready to lead this program.”
“Coach Vick has been a pillar and a role model promoting community service throughout Nutley,” Superintendent of Schools Julie Glazer said. “He is committed to the growth and advancement of our young men and women, and the board and administration are confident Coach Vick will continue to create a positive and meaningful environment in our classrooms, in our community and on the football field.”
At the April BOE meeting, board President Charles Kucinski said, “Beyond his extensive football experience and knowledge, Coach Vick has developed strong roots in the community.”
Vick is a history and special education teacher at the high school, as well as the adviser of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Patriot Club. He also is an assistant baseball and basketball coach at NHS.
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