Accorsi ‘super excited’ with the coaching staff that’s come together for his first Salem CC’s football season
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
CARNEYS POINT – Jay Accorsi is “super excited and pleased” with the group of assistants he’s been able to put together for his first coaching staff as Salem CC’s head football coach.
The Mighty Oaks took the field for the first time Thursday with their full complement of coaches in the fold.
They had three assistants to get them through the spring, but the confirmation Thursday of offensive assistants Nick Santosuosso (offensive line), Ojay Harris (tackles/tight ends), Sharif Glaud (receivers) and Lonnie Rice (running backs), and defensive coaches Earl Simmons (corners) and Dimir Leftwich (defensive line) gives them nine to man all position groups going through their inaugural season.
Defensive coordinator Joe Dougherty (linebackers), offensive coordinator Chris Crowley (quarterbacks) and Damon Troy (secondary) helped Accorsi take the Mighty Oaks through the spring.
“I think we really lucked out,” Accorsi said. “Chris Crowley was able to get two really good coaches, especially (on the) offensive line, because we had some at one point – it was going to be me. That was OK, but I think we lucked out with him getting Nick and Sharif, and then once Dimir gets here Sunday … I’m super excited and pleased. I’m really kind of surprised how quickly and late we put this together.”
South Jersey football observers might be familiar with some of the newer assistants. Harris and Simmons played for Accorsi at Rowan. Glaud was a high school standout at Winslow.
Accorsi said he knew he was attracting the right type coaches for his startup program after one of their first conversations.
“Just seeing them in meetings, I’m super excited,” he said. “Because it’s just not about football.
“All of those I don’t know, before we even had a conversation they were like, coach, why are you doing this? I said, what do you mean? They were like, I looked you up, you had a great career at Rowan, why are you doing this? And as soon as I said I want to help young men, they were like, sign me up, I want to do this. I don’t care how much you pay me, I don’t care what I do, I want to be involved in that.
“That’s the part I’m most excited about it. Not the greatness on the field for them, but it’s all the life lessons and everything off the field. I’m super excited about that.”
Top photo: Offensive line coach Nick Santosuosso (R) and tight ends coach Ojay Harris direct their charges through a drill during Salem CC’s first day of on-field practice Thursday.
