Jacobs Replaced as West Orange Football Coach
Despite supporters objections, West Orange Board of Education hires Jim Matsakis as new high school coach.
Over the objections of almost 200 supporters in attendance Tuesday night, the West Orange Board of Education approved the hiring of a new high school football coach to replace longtime coach John Jacob. In a 4-1 vote, with board member Ronald Charles dissenting, the board approved the hiring of new head coach Jim Matsakis despite pleas from community members, students and former players for the board to let Jacob retain his job after 10 seasons. More than a dozen residents offered testimony how the school community sees Jacob as more than a teacher or a coach. The parents and students also demanded transparency from the board why Jacob was removed. The residents cheered Jacob when he appeared at the meeting and several times throughout …
john anthony prignano
5:13 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
PATCH! In the above article you wrote; " In 10 seasons, Jacobs sported a 51 - 49 record,finishing 5 - 5 last season. " The Newark Star Ledger reported Jacobs' record as Head Coach is 51- 49 . In his open letter, John Jacobs said he had been the Head Coach for 10 years. NOT CORRECT. NOT TRUE. Jacobs became the Head Coach of the West Orange Varsity Football Team in 2002. He was the Head Coach for … more ›