Gerald “Jerry” Schulte, a beloved husband, father and grandfather and a state championship-winning football coach at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, died March 2, 2024, at his Ocean Township home. He was 72.
Schulte is survived by his wife of 45 years, Patrice; his children, Jeremy and wife Alyssa, and Ashley Corcione and her husband, Anthony; grandchildren, Anthony, Jack, Nicholas and Owen; his brother John Schulte and wife Debbie; brothers-in-law, John LeBaron and wife Nancy and Bill LeBaron and wife Jan; and many nieces and nephews, whom he adored.
Schulte was predeceased by his mother Betty Jane and father John Schulte and his brother Jeff.
A true gentleman who enjoyed the challenges and rewards of coaching high school athletes, Schulte will be missed by those who knew him well and loved him. All who know him can imagine him enjoying his days with scotch and a cigar while in his sunglasses. He brought such joy to anyone who would have the pleasure of his company.
The 2023 football season was his 50th as a coach. He was inducted into the Shore Football Coaches Foundation Hall of Fame in 2023 and had a career coaching record of 109-64-1.
Schulte will be remembered by coaching peers in football, wrestling and softball for his self-deprecating and desert-dry sense of humor, quick wit and his ability to dish out and accept good-natured ribbing; by his players for an even-keeled demeanor on the sideline and a coaching style that was demanding but rarely overbearing; by the media for always playing things close to the vest, quotes that never made anyone’s bulletin board and his purple socks (one of RFH’s school colors) on game day.
A career educator, Schulte retired from the Wall Township School District in 2020 where he was a science teacher. He was also a teacher at the now-defunct Mater Dei High School in Middletown.
Schulte was an assistant football coach at his alma mater, Keansburg High School, before he accepted the head coaching position at Mater Dei. He was at Mater Dei from 1980-1984. He was also the head coach at Wall from 1990 to 1999 and offensive coordinator at Monmouth Regional in Tinton Falls from 2000 to 2004.
However, Schulte had his greatest success at Rumson-Fair Haven. He joined Shane Fallon’s staff in 2005 as defensive coordinator and stayed with the program until his death.
During his tenure as defensive coordinator, Rumson-Fair Haven won four sectional titles in six seasons. His defensive units were known for being prepared, playing unselfish assignment-oriented defense and swarming to the football.
Schulte was named head coach at Rumson-Fair Haven in February 2016. In his first season as head coach, the Bulldogs won a sectional title. He led RFH to another sectional title in 2018. The Bulldogs also finished as runners-up in 2017, 2019, and 2021.
Schulte stepped down after the 2021 season and was replaced by his son Jeremy for the 2022 season. Jerry Schulte served as his son’s defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023 when RFH finished as Group 2 runner-up.
Schulte graduated from Keansburg High School in 1970, where he was a standout fullback and middle linebacker. He played football at the now-defunct Upsala College in East Orange, but an injury ended his playing career. He transferred to Monmouth College (now University) in 1975. It was at Monmouth that he first took an interest in wrestling.
Schulte served as the head wrestling coach at Mater Dei and was a wrestling assistant at Wall and Rumson-Fair Haven. He also had more than 300 victories as the freshman softball coach at Wall from 1985-2010.
Rest in peace, coach.
Services were held March 10 at Pollak Theater at Monmouth University in West Long Branch. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank.
This article originally appeared in the March 14 – 20, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
