Cooper's Court: New Era Begins for JCHS Volleyball

A new era began last week inside the James Caldwell High School's gymnasium.

The storied girls volleyball program that has captured five state championships since 2002, including each of the past two years, took the court with a new coaching staff for the first time in nearly 25 years.

Brothers Jeff and Scott Stiefbold, who had coached the team since they became teachers in the Caldwell-West Caldwell School District 24 years ago, were not offered contracts to return for the 2010 season.

Instead, Caldwell Athletic Director Rich Porfido, a graduate of North Arlington High School, called Don Cooper, who recently retired after 27 years as the Bergen County school's head girls volleyball coach.

Cooper, 61, guided North Arlington to one NJSIAA Group I state championship, three state final appearances and one trip to the Tournament of Champions.

"We're fortunate to have him," Porfido said.

The 2003 and 2004 Bergen County Coach of the Year received his bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education from Montclair State University and retired last year as dean of students at North Arlington Middle School.

Cooper said he delayed his retirement from coaching for the opportunity to guide one of the elite programs in the state.

"I knew that Caldwell had an established program," Cooper said.

With North Arlington going through a rebuilding phase, Cooper thought it would be a good time to hand over the reins.

"I knew North Arlington had a bit of a rebuilding program," Cooper said. "I thought it was a good time for my assistant to take over."

Cooper takes over a larger Caldwell program—a Group 2 team—compared to Group 1 North Arlington. 

Despite Caldwell's success, Cooper said he doesn't feel pressure taking over one of the state's premier teams and one that has won two straight state, Essex County and conference championships.

"I don't feel pressure," said Cooper, who will be assisted by Rachel McCarthy. "I always feel that is the players not the coach that make the team. I don't feel it. I just will do what I can. No one keeps more pressure on me than I do."

Cooper and his team also understand that no matter who the Chiefs are facing, the opponent will be gunning for them.

"They know that they have a target on their back," Cooper said.

One of Cooper's first responsibilities will be to fill the hole left Megan Knott, who will now play at Rider University after recording the fifth-highest number of kills in state history with 1,182 during her JCHS career. Knott, an outside hitter, collected 415 kills last season alone.

Knott was tops on the team in service points (211), aces (53) and digs (206) in leading Caldwell to the NJSIAA Group 2 championship after the Chiefs captured the Group 1 championship in 2008.

Also gone from last year is setter Gabby Migliore, who will continue her career at Felician College after recording more than 1,000 assists at JCHS.

"They lost a very good hitter and a very good setter," Cooper said.

The Chiefs will return 6-foot-5 senior Kelly McCaddin, who finished last season with 347 kills with a .521 hitting percentage and was second on the team with 191 service points and 49 aces.

Caldwell, which beat Tenafly in two games for the Group 2 state championship and reached the Tournament of Champions semifinals last year, will open the 2010 season with a quad match against Mount St. Dominic, Verona and Cedar Grove on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 9 a.m.