Football

John Hack: Head Coach, Wide Receivers: 

Coach Hack enters his seventh season (2021) as the Head Football Coach at Morris Catholic. Hack is also a member of the Administration through his service as Athletic Director. Coach Hack brings great energy and has established a culture that is one of the finest anywhere in the country. 

Coach came to Morris Catholic via Immaculata High School. John played his high school ball there where he was team captain and a third-team all-state all teams lineman. Subsequently, Hack played his college ball at Saint Peter's University, and was a member of the 2001 team that went 10-1 and was inducted into the university's Hall of Fame. 

Hack's college career was marred by injuries, but he used the physical setbacks as a boost to get into the arena of coaching. After suffering three consecutive season-ending injuries as a sophomore, junior, and senior, Hack helped the coaching staff break down film, make scouting reports, recruit, and was given a headset on game-day. This started his coaching career. In the classroom, Hack shined most and was named the co-valedictorian of his graduating class in 2004. After college, Hack immediately started his coaching career at his alma mater, Immaculata. From 2004-2012 Hack served as the Defensive Line Coach and concurrently ran the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Immaculata. In 2007, John married his beautiful bride, Katie, and also became the Special Teams Coordinator. Simultaneously, Hack was developing his career as a financial advisor at Nationwide Financial. In 2009, Hack became the Director of Advancement & Alumni Relations at Immaculata and started his own firm, Hack Financial.

In 2013, Coach Hack became the second head football coach in the history of Immaculata at the age of 31. Coach helped navigate the school through some rocky times and was able to have some "juice" wins over Hunterdon Central and Phillipsburg in 2013, both of whom went on to win the state championship. Hack was named FCA's Huddle Coach of the Year in 2013. In 2014, Hack took a very young team on a very improbable playoff run. A season when they lost four games in the final minutes, the young team found it's stride and knocked off Hudson Catholic, before losing a heartbreaker to eventual champ DePaul Catholic 34-33 in OT. During his time at Immaculata, Hack either played or coached in six state championships, winning one as an assistant coach in 2007, beating Delbarton for a perfect 12-0 record. 

Urged by his wife, Hack met with Morris Catholic in late April of 2015 and fell in love with the school, the community, and the team. He cited the school's desire to be great, the strong leadership and the positive direction as to why he wanted to be a Crusader. Hack joined MC officially in June of 2015.

Since 2015, Coach Hack and his staff along with his players, have worked hard to entrench a culture consistent with the team's core values of FAITH, DISCIPLINE, TOUGHNESS, and HARD WORK. In 2015, the Crusaders finished 5-5, the first non-losing campaign since 2009, as they won four of their last five contests. In 2016, the Crusaders picked up two wins while starting twice as many freshmen (6) as they had seniors (3) on the roster. In 2017, the Crusaders fell just short of .500 ending at 4-6, while winning two very exciting rare home night games. Again in 2018, MC finished 4-6, playing a terrific schedule.  The season was highlighted by very exciting wins over Sussex Tech and Immaculate Conception, both times the Crusaders overcame two score deficits to win. 

In 2019, Hack led Morris Catholic to it’s first ever championship.  The Crusaders posted a 7-4 record and captured the North Jersey Super Football Conference’s United Blue Division.  All season long, the team spoke about “putting cloth” up on the banner in the gym for the first time.  They accomplished that behind a great senior class (seven of which are playing college football) coupled with tremendous underclassmen, and a relentless staff.  It all starts with culture and these young men bought in big-time.

2020 was a very memorable year for the Crusader Football Team.  Navigating through the challenges of Covid, our team managed to play nine game (one of only twelve teams in the state to do so) and won seven (one of only 17 teams in the state with seven wins).  With a 7-2 record, and back-to-back 7-win campaigns, this team put itself amongst the all-time great Crusader teams, of which there are plenty.  Amongst the many accomplishments, the MC offense which scored 30 PPG, boasted the #1 Passer (Dean DeNobile) and WR (Walter Quick, Jr. - 1st team All-Non Public) in the state, as well as the #3 WR (Zach Thomas) in the state in terms of yardage.

Coach Hack is very proud and cognizant of the great tradition of MCFB.  “We always want to make the guys that went before us proud, not just in the win column, but by honoring their legacy by doing things the right way on and off the field.”

Hack, who was born in Denville as one of six children, grew up as a family of eight in Berkeley Heights. He, his wife Katie, and their three children, Julia, Johnny, and Gianna, reside in Chester.  Their children go to the School of Saint Elizabeth’s in Bernardsville and their family belongs to Saint Lawrence RC Church.

William "Bill" Chevalier: Special Teams Coordinator, Assistant Offensive/Defensive Line:

Bill Chevalier will enter his fourth season as a Crusader in 2021.  He will continue to coordinate the special teams units. Coach has done an excellent job these past few years in shaping one of the best kicking units in the area. 

Coach Chevalier was a three time all conference lineman for Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington and played collegiately at Saint Peter's University. During Coach Chevalier’s time at Saint Peter’s the football team enjoyed its most successful period in program history, which included the 2001 season that ended in a top national ranking and was followed by an induction into the Saint Peter's University Hall of Fame. 

Following his playing career Coach Chevalier joined the staff at Hudson Catholic High School in Jersey City where he coached the defensive line and special teams. As special teams coordinator, Coach Chevalier oversaw standout units, which included the all county selection at kicker and punter each season. Also, during his time at Hudson Catholic the school was able to win its first conference championship in 25 years, qualified for the state playoffs each season, and was ranked in the top 20 in the state for the first time in school history. 

Coach Chevalier is a realtor with Keller Williams and lives with his wife Erin and their two children Liam and Mara in Mount Tabor, New Jersey. 

Stephen Lahoe: Head JV Coach, Running Backs, Assistant Linebackers:

Coach Lahoe was born and raised in Whippany, NJ.  Stephen attended Morris Catholic and graduated in 2015.  A Crusader football great, Stephen was a Four Year Varsity Letterman and Senior Captain of the 2014 team. 

Coach continued his playing career at William Paterson.  He is very proud to be a part of the 2016 team that snapped a 22 game losing streak to instate rival Montclair State. 

In 2021, Coach Lahoe enters his second season with the Crusaders on the sideline and remains responsible for the Running Backs, a position which he starred at while at Morris Catholic.  He will also assist with Linebackers.  Coach Lahoe brings passion, devotion, pride, and a selfless attitude to our staff.  Coach Lahoe did an outstanding job as a rookie coach in 2020!  Coach continues to live in Whippany.

John Hack, Sr.: Volunteer Assistant to the Coaching Staff:

Coach Hack, Sr. is entering his fifth season as a member of the Crusaders football staff. Coach Hack, Sr., beloved by the team, has helped in the crucial role of manning the loudspeaker to announce periods and keep the team on task.  He provides victory donuts and sage advice as well as doing anything asked in the best way possible.  He is also a spiritual leader on the team.  

John, a devout Catholic, and dedicated family man, joined the MC football family following a long and distinguished career in the chemical industry. A chemical engineer by trade, Hack, a 1969 graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology, concluded his career at ExxonMobil, where he worked for over 30 years. 

Retired life has brought no relaxation to Coach, as he volunteers to help us, serves at various soup kitchens in Elizabeth and Newark, participates in many ministries in his parish, and spends time with the love of his life, his wife, Marie. Marie and John reside in Berkeley Heights and have six children and eight grandchildren.

Nick Sedar: Assistant Strength & Conditioning; Assistant to the Coaching Staff:

Coach Sedar was born and raised in Economy Borough, Pa and attended Ambridge Area High School where he played football and baseball.  At an early age, he began competing in various strength sports including powerlifting and bodybuilding.  Today, he competes in regional and national powerlifting competitions where he has held several state records for PA, NJ, and NY.

Nick enters his second season with the Crusaders on the sideline and in the weight room as a Strength Coach. Graduating from Gannon University, he has previously coached at Robert Morris University and Wagner College. He currently resides in Rockaway Township with his beautiful wife Alex.

Jason Denburg: Volunteer Assistant to the Coaching Staff:

Coach Denburg is a volunteer assistant and helps out with special teams and other areas where needed. Coach Denburg has been with Morris Catholic since 2015 as a volunteer coach. Coach Denburg likes working with the athletes and can’t wait for the upcoming seasons.

Kevin "Kip" Finley: Volunteer Assistant to the Coaching Staff:

Coach Kevin Finley will be transitioning to a volunteer assistant role this year, as he and his beautiful wife Nicole, welcomed their third child this spring, Charlee Lynn!  

Coach FInley has done a great job coaching Running Backs and Defensive Backs last season.  Before MC, Coach came to us off a season working as the Offensive Coordinator at his alma mater, North Arlington. In all, Coach Finley has twelve years of coaching experience, including stints at St. Mary’s in Rutherford and North Arlington High School.  

Finley resides in Sparta with his wife Nicole and children Kade, Carsyn, and Charlee Lynn and is a dedicated New Jersey State Trooper.