Long Time Coach Hilliard Steps Down After 23 Seasons Including Twelve As Head Coach
NORTH EDISON, NJ–On Thanksgiving, GMC Gridiron learned that Ron Hilliard, the head coach of Bishop Ahr is stepping down after a dozen seasons at the helm, and 23 overall as coach in the program. As head coach, Hilliard had a career record of 61-61 at the school, and guided the school to eight state playoff berths, and three division championships. In his nearly two dozen years on the coaching staff at BGA, Hilliard was part of 13 squads that qualified for the state tournament.
Despite finishing with four losses in a row for a 5-5 mark this past season, Bishop Ahr still showed some promise, especially at the skilled positions with the likes of juniors Tim Hagerty, Taylor Black, and Roger Kilgore returning along with freshman Billy DeMato at quarterback. Dillon Salva transferred in from North Brunswick this past summer, and should be more of a contributor next year. Danny Rasimowicz will lead the defense along with Justin Johnson.
After winning two straight GMC Blue Division titles in 2008 and 2009, Ahr finished tied for second this season in the GMC White with Perth Amboy at 5-2 behind North Brunswick (6-1). BGA’s two division losses came against the Raiders (28-0) and the Panthers (20-13) in consecutive weeks. Hilliard had taken the program a long way in just the past eight seasons. According to Gridiron New Jersey, the Trojans were 1-9 in 2003. Within two seasons, Bishop Ahr won its first of three division titles with a 7-3 overall record.
Perhaps the best team Hilliard led as head coach was the 2008 Bishop Ahr squad. The GMC Blue Division winners that season went 8-2 including a crossover win at home against Sayreville in week nine (13-0), and a win over Carteret in week four (28-20). The two losses were by a combined total of eight points including a defeat at Rahway in overtime (23-22), and a loss to Camden Catholic in the opening round of the Non-Public Group III playoffs (34-27) in which they had the lead. The team consisted of the likes of Robbie Meade at quarterback, Steve Dumchus at running back, and Matt Sheehy at wideout.
In his final game at the helm of BGA, Hilliard lost as the Trojans fell to Monroe on Thanksgiving Eve (34-24). Read the article from the Star-Ledger on Hilliard’s resignation.