Successful sports teams are often evaluated by their skill, but without a coaching staff, a team can never be known as a success story. Look no further than the New England Patriots, a former dynasty led by Bill Belichick. Belichick took a talented group of players to an elite team that dominated the NFL for numerous seasons. In recent years, many of the sports programs of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School (SPFHS), most notably soccer, have found great success as a result of not only their talent, but their coaching. With the hirings of Coach Alex Passucci at the varsity level and Colin Boyle at the junior varsity level, SPFHS has high hopes of continuing to achieve success that has led them to be recognized as a premier program in the state. 
Coach Alex Passucci
Coach Passucci looks to improve upon last year with a team primarily made up of seniors. In the Raiders final season under former coach Tom Breznitsky, they were topped by Elizabeth in both the county semifinals and sectional finals. Coach Passucci, a former Men’s Assistant Soccer Coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University and a U15/18 coach in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Travel Soccer program, plans to use his multi-decade experience to enhance the team and succeed. 
“We want our coaches and student athletes to treat each other, our opponents and the referees with respect,” Passucci said “We will work hard and give our best effort.” 
It is clear that Passucci knows what he is looking for, and is aware of the importance of his role. 
“I would like for every student athlete that comes through the soccer program to have a positive and memorable experience,” Passucci said. “[I want] the team to grow and develop individually and collectively on and off the field.” 
Coach Passuci’s knowledge of the game and his position, combined with the young talent of the team, could give them the opportunity to make many runs at state titles in the future.  
Coach Colin Boyle
The JV soccer team is now manned by coach Colin Boyle, a former coach of freshman basketball and track and field at Roxbury High School, and soccer at the American International School of Salzburg, Austria. Last year’s JV team was named co-county champions after tying with Westfield in the county finals. 
Boyle plans to follow this success by “having honest expectations and pushing [his] team to be their best every day.” He is a strong believer in teamwork and player development adding those are his main coaching values. 
“I look for players that work hard every day, that have a team-first attitude and are coachable,” Boyle said. “These qualities transcend talent and take players and the team to the next level.” 
An uncontrollable obstacle thrown at Coach Boyle is the coronavirus pandemic, an issue that could jeopardize the season. However, Boyle is not too worried. He has expressed that he is more than willing to follow any guidelines he needs to in order to keep his team safe. 
The SPFHS coaching staff looks to build upon the success of the soccer program with the addition of coaches Passucci and Boyle.
by Anthony Malta