Trivino Takes Over Newark Academy Football Team

Steve Trivino admits that he has bled Caldwell blue for years, but he's ready to put on the red and black as Newark Academy's head football coach this fall.

Trivino, who has coached at Caldwell for almost a quarter of a century, knew it was time to take the next step in his career when he heard the Livingston school had an opening.

"I needed something to excite me," said Trivino, who had been an assistant under longtime Caldwell head coach Ken Trimmer. "I bleed true blue. I just thought, 'hey, let's make our own program.'"

The first-time head coach is looking to wake up a Newark Academy program that has struggled over the years and hasn't had a winning season since 2005.

"To me, it was a perfect fit," Trivino said. "I kind of bided my time when I saw that the Newark Academy job opened—I felt that it was the right time."

Newark Academy Athletic Director Ed Manigan said that Trivino was the perfect fit for the Minutemen, who finished 1-9 last season.

"We're very excited to have him at Newark Academy," Manigan said. "He fits the mold of exactly what we were looking for in a head coach. He's got experience and he's offensive-minded. He comes from a very successful program, so we couldn't ask for more."

The move ends Trivino's 24-year career on the Caldwell High sidelines. Trivino helped guide the Chiefs to an 8-3 record and to the North Jersey Section 2, Group 2 semifinals last year after winning the sectional championship in 2008.

According to Trivino, he considered leaving to take the Millburn head coaching position in 2003, but at the time, he was focused on one of his daughters who was on her way to the State Meet of Champions in swimming.

Trivino said he will remain the head coach of the Caldwell boys and girls swimming teams that includes two of his daughters, Brittany and Carleigh. Before he accepted the Newark Academy position, Trivino said he received assurance from the Caldwell administration that he will be able to remain as the school's swimming coach.

Trivino now tackles the job of leading the Newark Academy football program, which has struggled to win games and maintain enough players. It wasn't long ago when the Minutemen couldn't field a varsity team.

However, Trivino said he's already been able to persuade more players to come out for the team, including basketball standout Jordan Jett.

"I'm going to be like [Rutgers head football coach] Greg Schiano and be in your living room to get you to come out for football," Trivino said.

While he compared himself to the coach, Trivino also took the Minutemen to Rutgers earlier this summer for seven-on-seven scrimmages.

"It was kind of groundbreaking," Trivino said. "They had never done it before. It was a great experience for the kids."

Trivino was impressed with Newark Academy's performance at the camp where the Minutemen finished 1-3 while facing large non-public schools like Immaculata and St. Joseph Regional High School of Montvale.

While at Caldwell, Trivino's forte had been directing the team's offense. He comes from a Wing-T background, but helped to also implement the Wildcat formation and a spread offense—an approach he won't hesitate to use at Newark Academy where the Wing-T has become the norm.

"We're looking at a no-huddle and up-tempo offense," said Trivino, who admitted it could take some time for the Minutemen to adjust to the new system.

While Trivino will handle the team's offense, Manigan, who was once the Minutemen's head coach, will control the defense.

"Ed and I get along real well," Trivino said. "We joke that I can fire him as defensive coordinator on Friday and then he can fire me as head coach on Monday."

If Trivino can help spearhead a quick turnaround, the Non-Public Group 1 playoffs will be without perennial power Paterson Catholic, which recently closed due to financial reasons.

The Minutemen open the season at home against Dwight-Englewood on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.