More milestones on the horizon on All-Time Victories List

By Bob Behre | July 6, 2022

Mike Sheppard, Jr., embracing his dad, Mike, Sr. (998 wins at Seton Hall University), is No. 3 on New Jersey’s All-Time Victories List.

It was a busy and productive season for New Jersey coaches making moves and reaching milestones on the All-Time Victories List. So, it’s due time we provide the Garden State’s baseball community with the most complete list to date of who stands where and what milestones are on the horizon to be smashed through.

The list below was researched and formulated nearly a year and a half ago and will be updated at the end of each baseball season. The list of coaching victories from Kenny Frank’s 919 down to Bill Donoghue’s 300 has been thoroughly researched and confirmed. If we’ve missed someone we want to know so we can include all deserving coaches.

Keep in mind, some records have become elusive, so, if you think, perchance, that Montclair’s Clary Anderson must have 300 wins, but you don’t see him here, it’s because no one has those numbers, in Montclair or anywhere else. We’ll keep trying.

This year we’ve included for publication the 200-plus wins coaches. This list, we know, is incomplete, but we figure with the publication of these fine gentlemen, more fine gentlemen will step forward and say, “Hey, what about him?” That’s the goal here, making our annual list complete and to provide a service to the baseball community and to our fellow media members, as well.

WAIT. Before you jump down to the list – I know it’s hard to wait – let’s point out a few of the big movers, shakers and those looking for new victory horizons.

We’ll start from the top and work down.

Mike Sheppard, Jr., Seton Hall Prep (831): The Pirates’ mentor has completed 37 years in the dugout and bumped his career mark up to 831-221-5. He’s No. 3 on the all-time list but just one win shy of retired No. 2 Marty Kenney (832-349) of Christian Brothers Academy.

Tim Byron, Old Tappan (567): A remarkable 26-5 season that included the elusive Bergen County Tournament championship, sent Byron shooting up the list to 567-317 and No. 20 overall. He is now within sight of the 600-win plateau.

Gary Sarno, Paul VI (Haddonfield) (509): The biggest milestone reached in 2022 belongs to Sarno, who busted through the hallowed 500-win mark. Sarno, now at 509-307, made his big bones at Cherry Hill West over the years but piles up wins now at Paul VI.

Ralph Pacifico, Montclair Kimberley (499): One more state tournament win would have given the affable Pacifico (499-310–1) the coveted No. 500 in June, but he will have to settle for nailing down the milestone on a likely cold April afternoon in 2023, perhaps in his opener with Bloomfield when MKA will dedicate its new field.

Dennis McCaffery, Cranford (472): The Cougars head coach made a jump up the 400s list as his team went 25-5 and reached the Group 3 championship game. McCaffery, 472-142, has put the No. 500 plateau in his sights.

Pat Laguerre, St. Peter’s Prep (397): It was yet another big year for the Jersey City-based school under Laguerre, who pulled close to the No. 400 mark at 397-186. He did so with a 23-7 season that included the Hudson County Tournament championship.

Gary Herron, Riverside (390): Herron has closed to within 10 wins of the 400-win mark at the Burlington County school, making the plateau very reachable in 2023. He’s improved to 390-287.

Frank Clark, Midland Park (307): One of two Bergen County coaches to surpass the 300-win mark in 2022, Clark moved to 307-156-3. His 18-year career includes stops in Emerson (U.C.) and Waldwick.

Ed Klimek, Teaneck (307): The longtime Teaneck mentor won 12 games this spring to pass the 300-win mark and join Frank Clark as the second Bergen County coach to do so this spring. He stands now at 307-410.

Mike Bylone, St. Augustine (302): The Hermits mentor has put forth some remarkable numbers in 16 seasons to get to 300 wins in quite a hurry. Bylone, 302-92 (.766) passed the 300 threshold in late season on his way to St. Augustine’s sixth straight berth in the Non-Public A championship game.

Dennis Hulce, St. Mary (Ruth.) (212): Hulce tacked on a 20-6 record on what has been a plus-.700 pace to get to 212-89 at the tiny Rutherford parochial school.

Mike Rooney, Don Bosco Prep (211): It was quite a season for Rooney and the Ironmen, which went 24-5 and captured the Non-Public A state title. Rooney improved to 211-70, a staggering .751 victory pace.

Joe Smith, Delsea (219): Another one of the bright young coaches in the state who has won everywhere he’s been, as an assistant under Kenny Frank at Toms River South and as the head man at Williamstown and now, his alma mater, Delsea. Smith is 219-109-1 after leading the Crusaders to a 23-3 record and the South Jersey, Group 3 championship.

Mickey Ennis, Livingston (203): Ten straight wins delivered for Ennis the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 championship and a 21-9 season as he passed the 200-win mark. Ennis stands at 203-157 in his 15-year career.

(If we’ve missed your coach, email his record to bbehre@diamondnation.com)

NJ HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL COACHES ALL-TIME VICTORIES LIST

(Updated through 2022 season)

x-active

900

x-Ken Frank, Toms River South – 919-326-3 (.738) (44 seasons)

800

Marty Kenney, Christian Brothers Academy – 832-349 (46 seasons) (.704)

x-Mike Sheppard, Jr., West Orange/Seton Hall Prep – 831-221-5 (37 seasons) (.790)

700

Tony Ferrainolo, Memorial (WNY) – 754-208 (.784)

Harry Shatel, Morristown – 752-326 (.698)

x-Sam Tropiano, St. Augustine/Bishop Eustace – 727-260-1 (.737)

600

Rich Bender, Delran – 672-349 (.658)

Lee Ware, Woodstown – 671-414 (.618)

Bob Brewster, Westfield – 655-342-3 (.657)

Ray Korn, Elizabeth – 651-308-1 (.679)

Gordon LeMatty, Union – 641-272-4 (.702)

x-Norm Hewitt, Bridgewater West, Bridgewater, Hillsborough – 631-326 (.659)

Frank Salvano, St. Joseph (Mont.) 630-184-1 (.774) (1988-2015)

Mike Zadroga, Dickinson/NBergen/HCath/CtyPrp – 611-254 (.706)

Russ Spicer, Hadd., Moorestown, Paulsboro, Cinnaminson. – 603-287 (.678)

500

Joe Kasberger, St. Benedict’s Prep (1930-’68) 593-137-3 (.812)

Joe Urbanovich, St. Peter’s Prep – 580-272 (.681)

x-Kurt Hommen, Ridgewood – 571-271-1 (.678)

x-Rich Horan, Audubon – 572-223-3 (.719)

x-Tim Byron, Glen Ridge/Montclair/Old Tappan – 567-317 (.641)

John Ponchak, Ramsey – 555-342

Bob Carcich, Emerson – 539-233 (.698)

Joe Cervino, Paramus – 538-284-2 (.648)

x-Dennis Barth, Gloucester Catholic – 528-108-1 (.830)

Butch Servideo, Lyndhurst – 524-265-1 (.664)

Tom Gambino, Immaculata – 522-133-1 (.797)

Ralph Cobb, Old Tappan/Rutherford – 522-321 (.619)

Bill Frank, Toms River East – 520-279-2 (30 yrs., retired in 2014) (.651)

Mike Hogan, St.M(J.C.)/St. Anthony/Marist/Ferris – 519-427 (.549)

Champ Atlee, Lawrenceville – 519

John Brunelli, Cliffside Park – 511-239 (.681)

x-Gary Sarno, Camd. Cath., Cherry Hill West, Hamm., Paul VI – 509-307 (.624)

Lou Calderone, Glen Ridge – 507-199 (1971-’90; 93-98; 00-01) (.718)

Dave Martin, Cherry Hill East – 502-286 (.637)

400

x-Ralph Pacifico, Montclair Kimberley – 499-310-1 (.617)

Barry Cook, St. John Vianney – 481

Mario Diez, Watchung Hills – 476-253 (.653)

Jerry Battaglini, Newark Central/East Side/Columbia – 473-310 (.604)

x-Dennis McCaffery, Cranford – 472-142 (.769)

Brian Gibney, Shawnee – 469-210 (.691)

Tom Trotman, Cherry Hill West – 467-234-1 (.666)

Ted Jarmusz,  W.Orange/Monmth Reg – 465-295 (.612)

Clary Anderson, Montclair – 464-154 (.751)

Buddy Matthews, Hoboken – 459-234 (.662)

x-Brian Giallella, Notre Dame/Steinert – 457-122 (.789)

Phil Baccarella, Bayonne – 440-162 (.731)

x-Chris Roof, Millburn/Gov. Livingston – 431-172-1 ) (.715)

x-Bill Alvaro, Jr., Williams./Wash. Twp./Kingsway – 430-213-1 (.669)

Scott Runkel, Bishop Ahr – 430-270-1 (.614)

Joe Policastro, Highland Park – 429

x-Jim Maher, Florence/Ham.West/Nottingham – 429-189 (.694)

Rob Christ, Gateway/Eastern – 426-170 (.715)

Rick Sabol, Somerville – 420-298 (.585)

Pete Crandall, Park Ridge – 408

Larry D’Zio Jr., Jackson Memorial: 407

Todd Schmitt, Wall – 403-173 (.700)

Marty Flynn, Ham. West – 403

Rich Giallella, Steinert – 401-111 (.783)

Bill Lampeter, Livingston – 401

300

x-Pat Laguerre, St. Peter’s Prep – 397-186 (.681)

x-Gary Herron, Riverside -390-287 (.576)

x-Vinnie Bello, Marist/Pope John – 389-240-1 (.618)

Brandon Flanagan, River Dell – 385-168 (.696)

Rich Veth, Middletown North, 378-189-2. (.667)

Lou Urbano, JFK-Iselin/St. Jos. (Met.)/Woodbridge – 375

Fred Kampf, Shore Reg. – 374-211-3 (.639)

x-Bruce Shatel, Roxbury/Delbarton – 372-147-2 (.717)

Tom Carney, Lakewood/St. Jos. Hamm./Delsea- 370-206 (.642)

x-Scott Illiano, West Essex/Caldwell/Wayne Hills – 365-206-1 (.639)

John Mazzo, North Bergen/Passaic Valley – 365-347-1 (.513)

Frank Malta, Johnson Reg./Jackson – 364-168-1 (.684)

Greg Butler, Demarest/Don Bosco Prep – 361-153 (.702)

x-Greg Trotter, Roxbury – 360-240 (.600)

Craig Mensinger, Ocean City – 360-345-7 (.511)

Mickey Hunt – 357-182 (.662)

Al Radano, Gloucester Catholic – 351-101 (.777)

x-Joe Drulis, Notre Dame (Law.) – 351-141-2 (.713)

Ted Schelmay, Toms River North – 346-181-2 (.657)

Jon Block, Freehold/Point Pleasant Beach: 345-319 (.520)

Joe Lang, Pitman – 340-161 (.679)

Jake Landfried, Manasquan: 338-172 (.663)

x-Dave Pasquale, Newark Academy, Gill St. Bernards – 337-213 (.613)

Brian Boyce, North Bergen/Manalapan – 337-215 (.611)

Mike Raymond, Hunterdon Central – 335-115-1 (.744)

x-Brian Anderson, Shawnee – 335-175 (.657)

Stan Liptzin, Lakewood – 334-183 (.646)

Joe Konn, Bloomfield – 333-234-3 (.587)

Bernie Goldwater, Southern Freehold/Freehold Township – 331-190 (.635)

Roy Hallenbeck, Millville – 330-194-1 (.630)

Chuck Rooney, Cherokee/Eastern – 329-221 (.598)

Joe Yurko, Westwood – 324-235 (.580)

Al Kunzman, Central Regional – 324

Bob Bickel, Haddonfield – 324

Hal Lorme, Rumson-Fair Haven – 323

x-Jeff Falzarano, Bridg East/Watchung Hills/Bernards – 321-305-3 (.513)

Bill Chesney, Manchester Reg./Elmwood Park/Ramsey – 312-237 (.568)

x-Larry Santowasso, Rutgers Prep – 312-254-1 (.551)

Jack Lynch, Cedar Grove – 311-155 (.667)

Walter Serad, Delsea – 310-182 (.630)

Marty Flynn, Hamilton West – 308

x-Frank Clark, Emerson (U.C.)/Waldwick/Midland Park – 307-156-3 (.663)

x-Ed Klimek, Teaneck – 307-410 (.428)

Chuck Dougherty, Middle Township – 305-246 (.554)

Frank Elias, Morris Knolls – 303-202-7 (.600)

x-Mike Bylone, St. Augustine – 302-92 (.766)

Bill Donoghue, Moorestown – 300-201 (.599)

200

Mike Lepore, Sr. (deceased), Cedar Ridge/South River – 291

x-John Passero, Hawthorne – 289-201-2 (.590)

x-Bob Harbison, Nutley – 284-188 (.602)

Jim Muldowney, Edison – 275-75 (.786)

x-Pete Mueller, Montgomery – 274-229 (.545)

x-Mike Policastro, Bloomfield – 273-259 (.513)

x-Glenn Fredricks, Freehold Borough/Spotswood – 272-171 (.614)

x-Ron Gavazzi, Bayley-Ellard/Montclair – 272-181-2 (.600)

Fred Cole, Old Bridge – 270-210 (.563)

x-Ken Harrison, Hopewell Valley – 265-157 (.628)

x-Carmen Spina, Rutherford – 258-114-2 (.694)

x-Jeff Hoover, Wayne Valley – 257-163 (.612)

Jim Sickinger, Kearny – 256

Bill Giglio, Ridge – 251-107 (.701)

x-Brian Nice, Allentown – 250-133-2 (.653)

Jerry Smith Sr., JFK-Iselin – 248-119 (.676)

Jack Mott, Parsippany – 243

x-Tom Blackwell, Ridge – 242-180 (.573)

x-Brian Chapman, Millburn – 239-78 (.754)

x-Mike Carcich, Wood-Ridge – 226-150 (.601)

Brian Fleury, Delbarton – 223-63 (.780)

x-Joe Smith, Williamstown/Delsea – 219-109-1 (.668)

Dennis Hulse, St. Mary (Ruth.) 212-89 (.704)

x-Mike Rooney, Don Bosco Prep – 211-70 (.751)

Mike Carter, Bloomfield – 204-130-1 (.611)

Mickey Ennis, Nwk.Acad./Madison/Livingston – 203-157 (.564)

(If we’ve missed your coach, email his record to bbehre@diamondnation.com)

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