Dave DeNapoli on retiring from football, his start in coaching, and how he developed Dunellen’s signature “offense in a phone booth” The longtime coach, who's been at the same school for decades, is hard to come by anymore. Just this year, the Big Central Conference lost two football mentors who long predate the superleague. Earlier this year, Zoran Milich stepped down at Montgomery, having started the program quarter century ago, and last week it was Dave DeNapoli at Dunellen putting away the clipboard.

AUDIO: #Dunellen's Dave #DeNapoli on retiring from football, his start in coaching, and how he developed the #Destroyers' signature "offense in a phone booth." Listen at the link! #NJFootball #BigCentral

They don’t make ’em like this anymore: Marcus Borden talks about longtime football coaches Dave DeNapoli, Zoran Milich hanging them up First, there was Zoran Milich stepping down, the only man ever to coach Montgomery High School football. That was back in Janaury, after a quarter century building and running the Cougars' program. This week, it was Dunellen's Dave DeNapoli, who has been the Destroyers' coach since 1996, stepping down after 29 years at the helm. A lifelong Dunellen resident, DeNapoli played quarterback there, graduating in 1975.

They don't make 'em like this anymore: Marcus Borden talks about longtime football coaches Dave #DeNapoli, Zoran #Milich hanging them up. #BigCentral #NJFootball

Dave DeNapoli steps down after nearly three decades as venerable Dunellen football coach Through tough times and good, and a bevy of both wins and losses, the one constant for Dunellen football for nearly 30 years has been Dave DeNapoli. But now, he's putting away the clipboard. DeNapoli announced his retirement from coaching on Twitter Thursday evening, after 29 seasons as head coach in the tiny Middlesex County town. He finishes his career with a record of 133-172-1 over that time span.

BIG COACHING NEWS: Dave #DeNapoli steps down after nearly three decades as venerable #Dunellen football coach. Story at the link, with audio and more details to follow. #NJFootball #BigCentral #Destroyers