Steve Jakubowski Named New West Deptford Boys' Soccer Coach

filled one of two big holes in the coaching staff with a native son Monday night, as the school board unanimously approved Eagles alum Steve Jakubowski as the new boys’ soccer coach.

In addition to becoming the third head coach in the last three years, this is also Jakubowski’s first shot at a high school head coaching job, having just graduated in December from Division I Long Island University, where he was a standout forward and a two-year captain, as well as the team’s leading scorer this past season.

“I’m very confident in what he can do on the field and what he can do for the students,” school board President Christopher Strano said. “He’s going to be a role model for our kids.”

Only two candidates put in applications during the month the coaching position was advertised, and Ginny Brockway, the chair of the athletic, band and cafeteria committee said they felt Jakubowski’s was “overwhelmingly” the stronger of the two.

Between on-field and academic honors, Jakubowski distinguished himself while at LIU—in just the past year, , and was also named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s (NSCAA) Academic All-America third team and was selected for the NSCAA’s All-North Atlantic third team.

Jakubowski, who is the older brother of current three-sport standout Tom Jakubowski, replaces Ryan Dougherty, who spent two years at the helm after a six-year run as an assistant under longtime coach-turned-athletic director Tim Cammarota.

Dougherty compiled a 26-11-4 record as head coach, but announced his resignation this spring after taking an assistant principal job at Bankbridge Regional School, where he’s been a teacher and supervisor.

Steve Jakubowski now inherits a program with a lot of history—the team has won both South Jersey and state titles in boys’ soccer, with the last win coming in the 2009 South Jersey, Group 2 sectional.

“He’s got a tall task, and I wish him the best of luck,” Strano said.

With boys' soccer now filled, the board will eventually have to consider a new wrestling coach, as a search is in the works for the heir to John Craig, .