Linden's Colicchio

[zebnatto]

Obviously the guy can coach. Really coach. But what's the word out there on the program. Does he find a way to recruit? Do kids move to Linden to play? Are these just kids who came through the Linden PAL program?

I love seeing them beat the Catholic schools and btw, I went to a Catholic high.

 

[RUforJERSEY]

I'm a Linden alum but no longer live there or in Jersey for that matter. But to your question.......I don't know the answer to that but I would think that if Linden was recruiting they would target some bigger players. While the other top teams they go up against for county supremacy routinely have frontcourts averaging 6' 8"" or taller Linden rarely has their biggest player any taller than 6'4"-6'5".

 

[knights1212]

Phil is an amazing coach. Year in and year out his team is tremendous and known for their defense. He rarely has a very tall player. This year I believe he only has one 6'4" player who only plays about half a game or less.

 

[colbert17]

He is the best HS coach in NJ today.
Knew his family when he was a kid. I'm sure everyone knows this already but his brother is Tom Colicchio the celebrity chef.

 

[Kbee3]

I'm a Linden alum but no longer live there or in Jersey for that matter. But to your question.......I don't know the answer to that but I would think that if Linden was recruiting they would target some bigger players. While the other top teams they go up against for county supremacy routinely have frontcourts averaging 6' 8"" or taller Linden rarely has their biggest player any taller than 6'4"-6'5".

Back in the day East Orange and Orange would dominate the state year after year with virtually no size.

 

[RUforJERSEY]

The days of Greg Tynes and Mike Dabney etc. They were probably going against similarly sized players however. Not out of state players like Kevin Freeman or international recruits like Sam Dalembert or RU's own Herve Lamizana.

 

[TruJerz]

I don't believe they recruit. I'm almost certain those kids are Linden's own. Thing with Linden is a lot of their kids stay home and play for the home team.

Plainfield used to be just as good if not better several years back and like Linden, they are a basketball rich city..but they are losing a lot of talent to private schools.

Colicchio is the real deal though, best high school coach in the state IMO

 

[Kbee3]

Colicchio is the real deal though, best high school coach in the state IMO

You're certainly entitled to your opinion but, based on what he has achieved and what he had to work with, Bob Hurley is the best high school coach IN THE COUNTRY.......and has been for years. HIs team with Bobby Hurley, Terry Dehere, Jerry Walker, and Rodrick Rhodes was the best I've ever seen.

 

[Seton75]

You're certainly entitled to your opinion but, based on what he has achieved and what he had to work with, Bob Hurley is the best high school coach IN THE COUNTRY.......and has been for years. HIs team with Bobby Hurley, Terry Dehere, Jerry Walker, and Rodrick Rhodes was the best I've ever seen.

Bob Hurley is the greatest coach to ever work in NJ, any sport, and level imo.

But, Colicchio is amazing. He beats so many top teams, beat RC the other year. Just a great coach. The Livingston kid who played point, son of the TV guy, I think he lived in South Orange, or around that area. And other kids I am sure find a way to enroll in Linden.

 

[Fzacsattac]

You're certainly entitled to your opinion but, based on what he has achieved and what he had to work with, Bob Hurley is the best high school coach IN THE COUNTRY.......and has been for years. HIs team with Bobby Hurley, Terry Dehere, Jerry Walker, and Rodrick Rhodes was the best I've ever seen.

But Bob Hurley team recruits players. Most of the students on the squad are not from Jersey City. Yes Hurley is a great coach but Phil is better because he doesn't get the quality of kids Hurley receives.

 

[MCKnight2004]

Nothing against coach or Linden, but those big wins over RC and Pats all come in the friendly confines of their small home court....very rarely at the opponents gym or neutral setting

 

[Plum Street]

Not a high school basketball follower but it seems what that guy does with linden is impressive .
On another note, didn't the city of linden go down the tubes? Lots of blight on the main drag north wood. St. George's avenue doesn't even seem to have a decent restaurant .
Lots of bad publicity with the drunk driving cop . Seems like that linden-roselle area has seen better days.

 

[RBNY87]

He gets a few out of district kids but they are local out of district mostly from Elizabeth or Rahway. He is not the strictest coach when it comes to players that aren't doing well in school. You got to give him credit though, his teams are good every year and he beats teams that recruit more.

 

[Kbee3]

But Bob Hurley team recruits players. Most of the students on the squad are not from Jersey City. Yes Hurley is a great coach but Phil is better because he doesn't get the quality of kids Hurley receives.

Hurley was a great coach when his best player was Mandy Johnson 35 years ago. He gets players now because he is Bob Hurley. And there wouldn't even be a St. Anthony's anymore if it wasn't for him. Check out his record and the number of guys who went on from there to bigger and better things. You think he had something to do with that ? Ask those guys.
Listen, nothing against Collichio....but Bob Hurley is in a class by himself.

 

[chrisru99]

He is no Ben Candelino but he is a solid coach.

 

[knights1212]

Some of you are way off base. Hurley gets kids from all over. Phil can't do that. Linden is a basketball town and has been for many years. Candelino was an excellent coach but I think Phil has done more. Elizabeth was the largest school by population in the nation for many years. Linden has won 4 state championships under Phil in about the last 14 years. They also lost the final game twice. Almost every year they are in the top 10 and usually in the top 5 of the state. Linden plays any team any where. They only play 5 home games out of 22 and the game over Patrick School was their only home game in their 11 games so far this season. Also they are 3-3 vs. Roselle Catholic over the last 2 years. Two years ago they had to beat both Roselle Catholic and The Patrick School both at Kean University to win the county tournament. What other team plays their first 10 games on the road and plays at Blair, at Union, at Elizabeth, at Patrick School, Pope John in Morris County, Westfield on a neutral site and 3 games in Maryland against good teams from Virginia and North Carolina. They still play Roselle Catholic twice, St. Mary's of Elizabeth (#9), Point Pleasant (neutral), Hun in Atlantic City, Trenton Catholic (neutral) and Monteverde from Florida (neutral). Union County has the 3 top rated teams in the state and St. Mary's is #9. Monteverde has been selected #1 in the country like 3 out of the last 4 years. The guy who said Linden only beats the big teams at home is totally wrong. How many teams play against Roselle Catholic at all much less twice a year and maybe as many as 3 or 4 times in a season. Try playing against 7'1", 6'11" and 6'10" like The Patrick School has and how many of those kids even live near Elizabeth. They just re load every year. Roselle Catholic also re loads and is loaded with big guys. Blair had 4 guys that signed D-1 scholarships for next year. Roselle Catholic brought in Kelly Whitney's son from Chicago this year and the younger Battle who played for St. Joe's (Metuchen) last year and is the brother of the freshman starting at Syracuse. These kids just seem to move to the parochials every year.

 

[Plum Street]

Some of you are way off base. Hurley gets kids from all over. Phil can't do that. Linden is a basketball town and has been for many years. Candelino was an excellent coach but I think Phil has done more. Elizabeth was the largest school by population in the nation for many years. Linden has won 4 state championships under Phil in about the last 14 years. They also lost the final game twice. Almost every year they are in the top 10 and usually in the top 5 of the state. Linden plays any team any where. They only play 5 home games out of 22 and the game over Patrick School was their only home game in their 11 games so far this season. Also they are 3-3 vs. Roselle Catholic over the last 2 years. Two years ago they had to beat both Roselle Catholic and The Patrick School both at Kean University to win the county tournament. What other team plays their first 10 games on the road and plays at Blair, at Union, at Elizabeth, at Patrick School, Pope John in Morris County, Westfield on a neutral site and 3 games in Maryland against good teams from Virginia and North Carolina. They still play Roselle Catholic twice, St. Mary's of Elizabeth (#9), Point Pleasant (neutral), Hun in Atlantic City, Trenton Catholic (neutral) and Monteverde from Florida (neutral). Union County has the 3 top rated teams in the state and St. Mary's is #9. Monteverde has been selected #1 in the country like 3 out of the last 4 years. The guy who said Linden only beats the big teams at home is totally wrong. How many teams play against Roselle Catholic at all much less twice a year and maybe as many as 3 or 4 times in a season. Try playing against 7'1", 6'11" and 6'10" like The Patrick School has and how many of those kids even live near Elizabeth. They just re load every year. Roselle Catholic also re loads and is loaded with big guys. Blair had 4 guys that signed D-1 scholarships for next year. Roselle Catholic brought in Kelly Whitney's son from Chicago this year and the younger Battle who played for St. Joe's (Metuchen) last year and is the brother of the freshman starting at Syracuse. These kids just seem to move to the parochials every year.

That's sad these kids move around year to year. I assume they "move" so they get an address change so they are eligible to play immediately. It's one thing to go parochial for the hoops and some interest in the private education. Bu what seems to be going on is crAzy.

 

[RUsince52]

Back in the day East Orange and Orange would dominate the state year after year with virtually no size.

I think E Orange was Group 3 and Orange maybe 2 and the players weren't 6'9"" except Les Cason for Group 1 Rutherford. Even Newark Central and Trenton HS had guys that were only 6'5" or 6'6". Kids just got taller over the years, but most good teams were really athletic. Of course. NBHS wasn't.

 

[Kbee3]

I think E Orange was Group 3 and Orange maybe 2 and the players weren't 6'9"" except Les Cason for Group 1 Rutherford. Even Newark Central and Trenton HS had guys that were only 6'5" or 6'6". Kids just got taller over the years, but most good teams were really athletic. Of course. NBHS wasn't.

Perth Amboy ruled in Middlesex County back then.

 

[RC1978]

One little fact. Any school can "recruit". A public high school can charge out of district tuition if they want. Take a look at Rumson girls basketball in the days or Eastern field hockey.

 

[colbert17]

Perth Amboy ruled in Middlesex County back then.

The days of the Taylor brothers!!!!
Also you previously mentioned in another post Mandy Johnson.
I don't know if people realize what a great high school player he was.

 

[Kbee3]

The days of the Taylor brothers!!!!
Also you previously mentioned in another post Mandy Johnson.
I don't know if people realize what a great high school player he was.

Yep. Brian scored 84 in one game.
Also scored lots for Princeton and the Nets.
Incredible leaper

 

[colbert17]

Remember his brother Blake??? Not as good as Brian but went to Arizona State.
The oldest brother Bruce was a DB for the 49ers,
Another PA name from the past was Chad Kinch who went to UNC-Charlotte and had a brief NBA career. He passed away many years ago at a very young age.

 

[batts]

But Bob Hurley team recruits players. Most of the students on the squad are not from Jersey City. Yes Hurley is a great coach but Phil is better because he doesn't get the quality of kids Hurley receives.

Hurley, Walker, Rhodes and Dehere were all from Jersey City.

 

[Fzacsattac]

Hurley was a great coach when his best player was Mandy Johnson 35 years ago. He gets players now because he is Bob Hurley. And there wouldn't even be a St. Anthony's anymore if it wasn't for him. Check out his record and the number of guys who went on from there to bigger and better things. You think he had something to do with that ? Ask those guys.
Listen, nothing against Collichio....but Bob Hurley is in a class by himself.

Yes Hurley, because of his fame, is a walking recruiting tool because of what he has done due to his fame/record. But most of the kids that play ball at St. Anthony's are not in the local area. Would he be as successful if he was only to receive the students in the nearby area like non parochial schools? I don't know.

Yes agree that St. Anthony's would have closed down by now if not for him. Do you think his record had to do with his recruiting and or his fame that got top ranked kids from all over (not just Jersey) while Phil was not able to do that. Hurley is an incredible coach but in my opinion I think Phil is the better coach.

 

[batts]

I'm not a a big Bob Hurley fan but he consistently beat Boyle's St Patrick's teams that were bigger and had better players.

 

[Fzacsattac]

Hurley, Walker, Rhodes and Dehere were all from Jersey City.

Yes that was in he early days when he was still building a brand at the school. How many more of the kids were from NY, Nigeria, or Central/ south jersey. Also many of those players were going public until scholarships/ funds were made available for them. One student was ready to attend Ferris high school and another Dickinson High School and changed their mind in order to build a powerhouse there.

Here is an example of 3 players from this years current team:

RJ Cole is from Newark

Ogheneyole Akuwovo is from Nigeria

Oscar Okeke is from Nigeria

 

[batts]

Yes that was in he early days when he was still building a brand at the school. How many more of the kids were from NY, Nigeria, or Central/ south jersey. Also many of those players were going public until scholarships/ funds were made available for them. One student was ready to attend Ferris high school and another Dickinson High School and changed their mind in order to build a powerhouse there.

Here is an example of 3 players from this years current team:

RJ Cole is from Newark

Ogheneyole Akuwovo is from Nigeria

Oscar Okeke is from Nigeria

No doubt that he recruits players outside NJ (e.g. Rosario and Enchinique). However, he is one hell of a coach. He routinely beats teams with better players.

 

[dpwhite]

No doubt that he recruits players outside NJ (e.g. Rosario and Enchinique). However, he is one hell of a coach. He routinely beats teams with better players.

Not to be a nitpikcer because I get your point but Echinque played for Danny H.

 

[RUsince52]

Yep. Brian scored 84 in one game.
Also scored lots for Princeton and the Nets.
Incredible leaper

When PA played St. Peter's in the county tournament at the Barn, the place was packed. Taylor vs Somogyi was a classic between two really good teams and 2 players with different styles. Fans wanted to see who would score more points now that they would finally square off.

 

[Kbee3]

Hurley, Walker, Rhodes and Dehere were all from Jersey City.

Best team I've ever seen at getting a defensive rebound and running the floor.

 

[RBNY87]

That's sad these kids move around year to year. I assume they "move" so they get an address change so they are eligible to play immediately. It's one thing to go parochial for the hoops and some interest in the private education. Bu what seems to be going on is crAzy.

Well it is a lot different world with inner city kids. Many of these kids are in homes with parents renting versus growing up with your parents owning a home. Different world when your lease is up everyone 12 months. From what I know what happens though, kids just use grandparents address or cousin's address. I don't think it is so much that it is manipulated by the coach, but kids want to play in a top program.

 

[trotter]

Hurley taught defense, defense, and more defense.

 

[RU848789]

Not a high school basketball follower but it seems what that guy does with linden is impressive .
On another note, didn't the city of linden go down the tubes? Lots of blight on the main drag north wood. St. George's avenue doesn't even seem to have a decent restaurant .
Lots of bad publicity with the drunk driving cop . Seems like that linden-roselle area has seen better days.

I work in Rahway and am in Linden regularly for lunch, as there are quite a few good restaurants and a bunch of good "joints" for various types of ethnic food. It's not as spiffy and elegant as many other downtowns, but I like it.

 

[Plum Street]

I work in Rahway and am in Linden regularly for lunch, as there are quite a few good restaurants and a bunch of good "joints" for various types of ethnic food. It's not as spiffy and elegant as many other downtowns, but I like it.

You like it, but probably safe to say you or many of your coworkers wouldn't choose to live there. Yeah I am sure it's ok to head in for a nice ethnic lunch as you say , but the blight can't be good .

 

[knights1212]

Plum, You are entitled to your opinion but Linden is still a nice blue collar town. The Sunnyside section is as nice as any other area of most other towns. Maybe you should check it out before being so critical.

 

[Plum Street]

Plum, You are entitled to your opinion but Linden is still a nice blue collar town. The Sunnyside section is as nice as any other area of most other towns. Maybe you should check it out before being so critical.

I know it yes . That's the area going towards Clark and near St. John's. Nice neighborhood.
What exactly is my opinion if you read my post ? Or maybe you didn't? I didn't mention my opinion at all.
I asked if linden has gone down the tubes . And mentioned that the linden-roselle area has seen better days , which seems to be a fact. No opinion given .

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

Plum When you say "down the tubes " what exactly what you mean? Out migration of whites and an in migration of African Americans and Latinos?Just wondering..

 

[TMCB]

God i hate to agree with Kbee but Hurley has been the best for decades.

 

[Plum Street]

Plum When you say "down the tubes " what exactly what you mean? Out migration of whites and an in migration of African Americans and Latinos?Just wondering..

Before I give you a definition of urban blight or urban decay, are you familiar with linden and looking to stay on topic? Or are you just trying to find out what urban blight is?