After leading St. John Vianney to its best football season since the early 1980s and one of the best in school history in his first season, Mark Ciccotelli is no longer the head coach of the Lancers only about two weeks before preseason camp begins.

In an email sent to parents of team members on Saturday, St. John Vianney athletic director Rich Lamberson said that Ciccotelli is no longer the head coach and that St. John Vianney wishes Ciccotelli "nothing but the best with all of his future endeavors." No reason is given for his departure.

Mark Ciccotelli is out as head coach at St. John Vianney after leading the program to its best season since the early 1980s. (Photo by Sports Pix NJ)
Mark Ciccotelli is out as head coach at St. John Vianney after leading the program to its best season since the early 1980s. (Photo by Sports Pix NJ)
loading...

"I know many of you have questions about the immediate future of our program,'' Lamberson wrote. "Rest assured the administration is working feverishly to find a suitable replacement to help guide our football program to new heights. The new head coach’s staff will be comprised of some current members of our football staff as well as a few new faces."

Reached by phone on Saturday night, Lamberson would not say whether Ciccotelli was fired or resigned. He said he had no further comment other than that there will be a news release by the school on Monday with more information. Ciccotelli did not return multiple calls and texts for comment.

Ciccotelli led the Lancers to a school-record 10 wins in a 10-1 season that included the Class A Central title, their first division title since 1982, in his first season this past fall. The Lancers were bolstered by five transfers who became starters and key contributors and have added Neptune wide receiver/defensive back Marcque Ellington as a transfer heading into this season.

They feature a roster that is expected to make them one of the Shore Conference's best teams, led by senior quarterback Anthony Brown, a Boston College recruit, standout linebacker Calvin Beaty, first-team All-Shore cornerback Khalil Haskins, and star lineman Micah Clark, one of the top recruits in the country in the Class of 2017.

Ciccotelli has a career record of 81-58 in 12 seasons at four different programs. In three seasons at Neptune prior to coming to St. John Vianney in 2014, Ciccotelli’s teams went 25-9, including winning the school’s first Central Jersey Group III title since 1998 in 2011.

Prior to his stint at Neptune, Ciccotelli led Freehold Boro to Central Jersey Group III titles in 2008 and 2010, the first and only titles for the Colonials since the creation of the state playoff system in 1974. Ciccotelli also was the offensive coordinator on the 2001 Middletown South team that went undefeated. He was then the head coach at Rahway for two seasons before taking the Freehold job.

 

More From Shore Sports Network