Marc Narducci: Winslow job a long time coming for Angerstein

Russell Angerstein has a lot of experience as a football player and coach, but his greatest assets might be his patience and his confidence in his ability.

Angerstein recently earned his first high school head coaching job when he was named the football coach at Winslow Township.

Not to insinuate that Angerstein is old, but he first came to the school when it had a different name, 34 years ago. Angerstein also played in the first NJSIAA South Jersey Group 3 football championship game, competing for Woodrow Wilson in 1974 against Sterling.

He went on to win an NCAA Division III national championship as a starting tackle for Widener - in 1977.

Two years later, he went to Edgewood, which is now Winslow Township, to teach history and serve as an assistant coach.

He has been teaching ever since, serving as an assistant coach for much of the time, and taking time off to watch his own son play in college.

Now, at 56, he replaces Calvin Thompson, who resigned after two seasons.

Two years ago, Angerstein was a finalist for the job that went to Thompson. Despite not getting the position, Angerstein continued to believe that one day he would roam the sideline as the Winslow Township head coach.

"It feels great and something I wanted for a long time," Angerstein said.

Angerstein was a football assistant at Winslow from 1979 through 2001. He later was an assistant coach for three years at Bishop Eustace before he gave up coaching to see his son, Eric, play in college.

Eric Angerstein was a standout at Eustace, was a four-year starting offensive lineman at Dickinson, and was recently an assistant coach at Eustace. He will be an assistant for his father.

"It was a great thrill being able to see my son play in college," Russell Angerstein said.

Imagine what it's like coaching with him.

"We're just so excited," he said.

Winslow athletic director Erik Ball wasn't in that position when Thompson got the job, so Angerstein becomes the first head football coach hired under his watch.

"He had a lot of years of experience as an assistant coach and has been part of some of the most successful teams in school history," Ball said. "He knows the game, and we feel he is going to do a nice job leading us back."

There is quite a way to go.

Winslow was 3-7 in 2011, and 0-10 last year. People forget how many great football players Edgewood and Winslow produced.

Former Olympic gold-medal sprinter Dennis Mitchell was a standout running back for Edgewood. Others have made the NFL, including current Tennessee Titans running back Shonn Greene and defensive back Jeromy Miles of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Several others have made names for themselves in college, including current Penn State running back Bill Belton, a former Inquirer offensive player of the year in South Jersey.

Nobody will be able to remind the current players of the storied past better than Angerstein.

The new coach said deep down he always thought he would get the job at Winslow Township. He probably didn't think it would take so long, but that's not something Angerstein is dwelling on.

There is a season to prepare for, and he has the players working in the weight room, all eager to begin a new era, but none more excited than the new coach.

"I am just really happy to have the job," he said. "It is a great group of kids, and I want to bring back some of the old tradition."

It starts with the new coach, who has been rewarded for his long-standing belief in himself and his undying patience.