Mark Ciccotelli, whose teams have won three NJSIAA sectional titles during his career, has left Neptune to take the head coaching job at St. John Vianney, the school announced on Friday.

Ciccotelli, who has a career record of 71-57 in 11 seasons overall, replaces Andy Carlstrom, who stepped down after this past fall. The Lancers went 4-6 and declined a spot in the NJSIAA playoffs.

St. John Vianney principal Steven DiMezza (at left) and athletic director Rich Lamberson (at right) welcomed new head football coach Mark Ciccotelli (center). (Photo courtesy of St. John Vianney).
St. John Vianney principal Steven DiMezza (at left) and athletic director Rich Lamberson (at right) welcomed new head football coach Mark Ciccotelli (center). (Photo courtesy of St. John Vianney).
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“I am happy to be coming on board, and I’m looking forward to working with the players,'' Ciccotelli said in a statement released by St. John Vianney. "The obvious goal is to lead the team to win a conference title and a state championship, but my main focus is to have our players reach their full potential as student-Athletes, and play to the best of their ability.  I have always liked Saint John’s, and I’m happy to share in their Catholic tradition.”

"I’m very excited to have coach Ciccotelli here,'' athletic director Rich Lamberson said in a statement. "I think he’s a great fit for our program and for our SJV family.”

In three seasons at Neptune, Ciccotelli's teams went 25-9, including winning the school's first Central Jersey Group III title since 1998 in 2011. The Scarlet Fliers also won their first division title since 1998 in 2012 while making a return trip to the Central Jersey Group III final. This past fall, the Scarlet Fliers went 5-5 after heavy graduation losses but did qualify for the Central Jersey Group IV playoffs, losing in the first round to eventual runner-up Colts Neck.

"I will always remember my time at Neptune,'' Ciccotelli told Shore Sports Network. "We made history, and those were special kids who I will always remember. This is just the best move for myself and my family, and I am excited to be at St. John Vianney."

St. John Vianney is 3-13 all time in the state playoffs. The Lancers are the last Shore Conference non-public team to win a state title, but have not won a state playoff game since 1980, the year they won their lone state championship. Their last Shore Conference division title was in 1982. Ciccotelli's hire is a clear sign that they aim to get out from the shadow of rival Red Bank Catholic, which has been the Shore Conference's No. 1 team the past three seasons.

Traditionally, Ciccotelli's dual threat quarterbacks have had great success in his veer offense. Freehold's Nick Tyson and Sterry Codrington, and Neptune's Ajee Patterson and Jaheem Woods were all first-team All-Shore selections at quarterback. Tyson, Patterson and Woods were each the Shore Conference Offensive Player of the Year their senior year. St. John Vianney has one in that mold in Anthony Brown, who will be a junior in the fall.

“I’m looking forward to working with coach Ciccotelli,'' St. John Vianney prinicipal Steven DiMezza said in a statement. "It’s always a pleasure to have an expert in their field become part of our community. “

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.

 

 

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