NMHS Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Out

Mike Kilgallen is a teacher in Midland Park and was until just recently the New Milford High School Girls Varsity basketball coach.

Kilgallen, who coached the team for two years, led the Lady Knights to a 23-5 record this past season and the team won its first outright league championship in the school’s history.

Kilgallen will not be returning next season due to a policy change that was decided at a recent New Milford Board of Education meeting. Kilgallen is disappointed but not surprised.

“I was not totally surprised because I had heard rumors of such a policy possibly going into effect last year," said Kilgallen. "I am, however, surprised that the policy does not seem to be uniform for all out-of-district coaches."

A boy’s soccer coach was just hired, and according to Kilgallen, he is not a New Milford teacher.

"The volleyball coach also isn't an in-house teacher, so the policy is suspect at best," said Kilgallen. "We will see in the coming weeks and years if the administration was being truthful with me when we see if they are consistent with their new policy, which evidently went into effect after fall coaches were approved for next year.”

Michael Polizzi, Superintendent of the New Milford Public School District explains how the decision came to be and why.

“Personnel decisions are made in central office, often as a result of discussions with and/or recommendations by other district staff, such as building or program administrators," said Polizzi. "Offering coaching positions to full-time teaching staff has always been a district priority. As a policy, district teachers know the students best and in all of their complexity."

Polizzi said addressing individual student needs was a top priority.

"Because our teachers are held to a high standard of excellence, we can expect that same standard to extend into their roles as coaches and advisors to extra-curricular activities," Polizzi said. "This is important when it comes to addressing the particular needs of all students.  Our teachers have access to critical student files that part-timers do not—and should not."

Polizzi said staffing decisions ultimately rest with him and are then brought before the BOE for approval.

Kilgallen had a good rapport with his student athletes and has received support since the decision.

“Coach Ali Bryan and I are flattered by the positive outpouring and support for us, but it doesn't cover for the fact that the kids of New Milford are being shortchanged,” said Kilgallen.

Superintendent Polizzi said that the decision was made after careful review.

“Given the options, this decision was arrived at after carefully reviewing district alternatives in the context of total student and program needs," said Polizzi. "We have exceptional talent already within our ranks and I am interested in leveraging those talents to the long-range benefit of New Milford High School students.”

As far as Kilgallen’s coaching future goes, he is far from done.

“I have been quite successful in my ten years as head coach in Midland Park and New Milford because I have been fortunate to work with amazing kids who worked so hard and bonded as families," said Kilgallen. "The next step for me is that I will look to be a head coach in the area, hopefully sooner than later, where I will have more opportunities to work with/coach student-athletes and see how they can work to fulfill their potential as players and people.”