By Rich Chrampanis
LITTLE SILVER – The search is over for the new leader of Red Bank Regional football. The Red Bank Regional Board of Education formally approved Dave Schuman as the new head football coach of the Bucs April 3. Schuman takes over for Nick Giglio, who stepped down after 10 years at RBR. Giglio helped lead the Bucs to the Central Jersey Group 3 title game in 2015 and his final season saw Red Bank become one of the surprise teams in the Shore Conference with a 7-3 record.
Schuman brings a unique and versatile background to the high school ranks. He’s the owner of National Underclassman Combine that identifies and scouts high school football players across the country. In addition, he’s an NFL agent who owns Inspired Athletes NFL Agency. The former linebacker at the University of Connecticut was an All-State standout at Saddle Brook High School. Red Bank Regional is his third high school coaching stop in the Garden State. He spent six years at Palisades Park/Leonia where he reached a sectional final in 2012 and was the head coach at Indian Hills High School for the past three years.
“We reviewed three dozen resumes and applications over the past three months and brought in 21 highly accomplished coaches to participate in a comprehensive multiround process,” RBR Athletic Director Del Dal Pra said in a press release. “This included input from parents, alumni, staff and administration. Coach Schuman really impressed us, dating back to his playing days at Saddle Brook High School where he was an All-State running back and high school All American.
He began his coaching career by turning around his alma mater Saddle Brook into a winner. We are very excited to have him join our athletic coaching staff next year.” Schuman’s national reputation comes with many connections who were quick to praise Red Bank Regional for its hire.
“RBR getting Coach Schuman is not only a big coup for Red Bank, but the entire Shore Conference,” Ohio State defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. “He brings a lot of big North Jersey high school football experience and college contacts that will benefit the whole conference and there is no coach better at getting kids recruited.”
Former Rutgers and current University of Alabama assistant coach Kyle Flood also had high praise for Schuman. “Coach Schuman and Red Bank are a perfect fit,” Flood said. “He is getting a program in the middle of a huge upswing. I only wish my son could play for him.”
Red Bank Regional will open up the 2019 season at home Friday, September 6, vs. Freehold Boro at 7 p.m. In the meantime, the players met with Schuman for the first time last Friday and have received a detailed agenda of the work that they are about to put it to get ready for the 2019 season and build upon last year’s breakthrough campaign.
