Schulte Takes Over RFH Football Program

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By Rich Chrampanis
Jerry Schulte has over 40 years experience coaching high school football on the Jersey Shore. The former Mater Dei and Wall Township head man is stepping up after 10 seasons as Rumson-Fair Haven’s defensive coordinator to take the lead as head football coach of the Bulldogs.
Schulte replaces Bryan Batchler, who guided RFH to three consecutive state championships. On December 14th, Batchler was placed on paid administrative leave nine days after the Bulldogs won a state title at Rutgers in a 21-0 win over Red Bank Regional. There has been no reason given why Batchler has not been back to work and the ultimate decision not to rehire him as football coach. While there is a great mystery surrounding the reason for Batchler’s departure, on the field performance was not a factor in the change of command. In three seasons as head coach, Batchler had a 30-6 record after taking over for Shane Fallon, who is now Holmdel High School’s athletic director.

Bryan Batchler
Bryan Batchler celebrates at Rutgers after RFH wins its third straight sectional championship in a 21-0 win over Red Bank Regional. Batchler has been on paid administrative leave since December 14th.

“I am really excited to have Jerry Schulte as our head football coach,” RFH athletic director Chris Lanzalotto said. “He has been our defensive coordinator since 2005 and has done an amazing job. 10 assistant coaches from our 2015 coaching staff were also approved, including Charlie Perillo, our offensive coordinator.”
Schulte has been the defensive coordinator at Rumson since 2005 and his Bulldog defensive units have the reputation as one of the stingiest in New Jersey. RFH has back-to-back shutouts in state final games and gave up just six points in the first title in the Batchler era in 2013. While everyone on the administrative side is tight lipped about the Batchler situation, the hiring of Schulte and keeping the nucleus of last year’s coaching staff in place sends a clear message that the foundation of one of New Jersey’s most successful high school football programs in recent years will stay intact.
“When we first heard about the situation, we talked to all the coaches and our main concern was the staff and the continuity with the kids would remain the same,” Schulte said on Tuesday night after being approved as head coach. “The administration and Board of Education agreed and I just think it’s a great decision for the kids.”
The last time Schulte was a head coach was in the 1999 season at Wall, but with ten years as a key part of the Bulldogs football program, the transition should be smooth and the work will continue in the weight room and off-season conditioning leading up to the quest for a fourth straight sectional title.
“We think it’s going to be ok,” Schulte said. “We have five coaches in the building and everything they’ve relayed to me, it’s been very positive.”