Coaches Corner: Joe Hubert

Cranford High School football assistant coach Joe Hubert has been coaching for 40 years - from the high school level to DIII college teams. He started out playing football in high school at “Our Lady of the Valley H.S. in Orange NJ and collegiate football at Seton Hall University. 

Hubert met head coach Eric Rosenmeier when he was the defensive coordinator at then-Johnson Regional in Clark when Rosenmeier was a player on the team. 

"They inspired me with their dedication, work ethic and intensity as players," he said. "When they were asked to 'empty the bucket' as players they did and now find it an honor to return the favor."

He has served under Rosenmeier for two years. He is currently the head track coach at Governor Livingston High School. He is married to Patricia Malone since he started coaching and he has four children and three grandchildren, "all Cougar clubs," he said. 

What is your proudest moment as a coach?

I have had many proud moments. As a coach they usually revolve around the game plan coming together, with the entire team and coaches exhausted, having expended all to reach our goal.

What do you tell athletes who may be struggling, in order to inspire them?

I help them formulate a plan. Every athlete struggles as they progress at any level.  The struggle is not limited to the non-starter or to those in the underneath programs. Athletes who want to improve have a plan.  The coach‘s job is to help formulate a realistic, attainable and measureable plan for his athletes.  The plan must be accomplished in progression through stages. The athlete is inspired each time they reach another stage. The inspiration comes when goals are accomplished.  The coaches job is to encourage and even demand that they “stay on course.”

If you weren't coaching right now, what other profession would you most like to have and why?

I teach as well as coach. Two professions are enough. Teaching and coaching are one in the same. If you are a poor teacher, it is probably reflected in your coaching. As a coach if you can successfully impart the integral part of a system and then motivate young people to perform, you can get it done in the classroom.  Teaching football and business is what I do.  I have been blessed to have spent my entire life doing what I love to do.

What do you say to your team during halftime if they've had a rough first half?

I tell them the truth.  I explain what is going well and where we have come up short.  I provide answers to their questions and solutions to our problems.  In crisis we get back to the fundamentals of football.  We always want them to stick to the basics in technique and follow the game plan whenever we face difficulty.  Our mantra is this:” Do What We Do.”   Occasionally we are surprised by our opponent, which might require adjustment but that is build into our base defense.

In what ways do your athletes inspire YOU?

Currently at Cranford, I am inspired daily with the way we come ready to practice, our intensity in practice and games, along with the respect that they have for their teammates.  Their responsiveness to learning and preparing is the best that I have coached and is indicative to what Coach Rosenmeier and his assistants expect and their way of saying thanks.

What's your goal for next season?

My goal is to be prepared and prepare our team so every time we take the field our players are ready to meet every challenge they will face.

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