Atlantic City High School

Keenan Wright grew up in Blackwood, New Jersey, with a strong foundation rooted in discipline, as his father served in the military for 33 years. Football has been a part of his life since he was 9 years old. During his high school years at Camden Catholic, he played as a quarterback before moving on to Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, where he continued his football journey as a wide receiver. Keenan majored in Business, but his true passion was in Education. He then earned his Masters Degree in Education at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

In 2007, Keenan began his teaching career in Atlantic City and quickly transitioned into coaching football under the mentorship of Thomas Kelly. Starting as a Freshman Football Coach, he diligently worked his way up to Offensive Coordinator by 2015. Kelly continues to serve as a trusted mentor in his current role.

Keenan has been happily married to his beautiful wife, Dr. Ananda Davis-Wright for 4 years. They currently reside in Mays Landing, New Jersey. 

Now, in his 5th year as the Head Coach of Atlantic City High School, Keenan Wright is dedicated to fostering the development of young student athletes both on and off the field, carrying forward the lessons learned from his own playing days and coaching experiences.

• Atlantic City- Assistant Coach 2011-2017 Offensive Coordinator the last two seasons
• Atlantic City- Head Coach 2019-Current
• Three straight playoff appearances
• One Sectional title appearance

Delsea Regional High School

• Offensive Line Coach at Buena (1995-97) under Chuck Donohue , Egg Harbor Twp. (1998) under Tony DeRosa, Delsea (1999-2024) under Sal Marchese Jr (99-23) and Jason Volpe (24)
• 1 State Championship, 2 State Finals, 11 Sectional Championships, 16 Sectional Finals at Delsea
• Assistant Coach for Team New Jersey in 2002 Governor’s Bowl
• 12 State Championships and 17 Sectional Championships as Head Boys Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Coach at Delsea
• Father of two sons, Ronald III 20 and AJ 19

Rich Koeppel, MA, LCADC, CEAP–Contributions to Amateur Football

This year's award winner of the Bill Walsh Contributions to Amateur Football is Rich Koppel. Rich earned his BA from Moravian College in English and Secondary education in 1966 and later attained is Master's Degree in Human Development in 1983.

Rich returned to his alma mater Saint Cecilia High School in 1966 where he began his career as an English teacher. While there he signed on to coach both football and track. Always a forward thinker, Rich was ahead of his time in focusing on building relationships with his players. During his time at Ridgefield Park High School in the late 60s he began hosting confidential “rap sessions” with his players where he helped them work through challenges they were facing off of the field. In this, he saw firsthand the effects of drug and alcohol abuse in the home on his players. This would lay the foundation for Rich’s journey impacting the lives of countless students he would encounter throughout his career.

Rich moved to South Jersey in 1973, where he signed on to be an English teacher at Millville High School. There, he became the head track coach while also serving as Tony Surace’s offensive coordinator from 1973-1986. While at Millville, he continued to help students and staff overcome scenarios where drug and alcohol abuse were prevalent. In 1985, Rich became a licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

In 1987 Rich transitioned out of the classroom and became a substance abuse awareness counselor at Cape May County Special Services and later at Mainland Regional High School where he would finish his career in public education. While in this role, Rich continued to coach football for the Mustangs until 2015.

Rich has continued his role as a substance abuse counselor as the founder of RPK & Associates, Inc. which is located in Swainton, NJ.

Rowan University Assistant Football Coach, Quarterbacks (2012)

The College of New Jersey Assistant Football Coach, Quarterbacks (2009-2010)

Hammonton High School Principal (1999-2009)

Hammonton Middle School Principal (1996-1999)

Hammonton High School Supervisor of Athletics and HPE (1991-1996)

Delran High School Varsity Football Head Coach (1980-1991)

• Head Football Coach 11 Years: 61 Wins, 41 Losses, 3 Ties
• NJSIAA South Jersey Group II State Champions 1987, 1989 & 1990
• BCSL Freedom Division Champions 1987, 1989, & 1990
• Brooks Irvine Football Club, Coach of the Year 1987
• Philadelphia Inquirer, S.J. Coach of the Year 1987
• Burlington County Football Club, Coach of the Year 1990
• New Jersey Interscholastic Coaches Association, Hall of Fame 1990
• South Jersey Coaches of Boys Athletics, Hall of Fame 2006

Holy Cross High School Varsity Assistant Coach/Offensive Coordinator (1977-1979)

• BCSL Liberty Division Champions 1978 & 1979
• South Jersey Parochial A State Champions 1977

Syracuse University Football Team (1972-1976)

• Quarterback 1973, 1974 and 1975.
• Recognized by the Burlington County Football Club as the College Player of the Year in 1975.
• Received the Joseph Alexander Award from Syracuse for Excellence in Football, Scholarship and Citizenship 1975

Holy Cross High School Athletic Career (1968-1972):

• Football: Burlington County Passing leader in 1970 and 1971. Received full athletic scholarship to Syracuse University.
• Basketball: Three years starting at guard.
• Track: High Jump, Long Jump and Pole Vault. Won the 1970 State Parochial B title in the High Jump.

During his nearly 20-year career on the gridiron, Leon has participated in multiple high school state championship finals at Rowan University, Kean University and MetLife Stadium.

• NJSIAA New Jersey High School Sports Official in Football, Girls High School Flag Football, and Track and Field.
• New Jersey Football Official Association - Atlantic Chapter: Executive Board
• New Jersey Football Official Association - South Chapter: Executive Board
• Cape Atlantic Junior Football League: Commissioner and Assignor
• Jersey Shore Youth Football League: Commissioner and Assignor
• Atlantic County Junior Football League: Commissioner and Assignor
• College Track and Field Official
• College Women’s Flag Football Official
• NFL Youth League Flag Football Official

I would be remiss by not taking a moment to acknowledge my family support during this journey.

Rowan University

Johnny Scibilia, from Hammonton, New Jersey, was a football player and team captain at Rowan University. Before college, he attended Hammonton Highschool, where he was involved in athletics. At Rowan, he played a key role on the team while balancing academics and leadership responsibilities. He is currently pursuing a degree in finance and remains committed to his education and future career.

Mainland Regional High School

Master of Education Degree in Sports and Recreation Administration, Temple University 2003

Bachelor of Science Degree in Athletic Training and Health and Physical Education, West Chester University 1988

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, National Strength and Conditioning Association 1990

Pat has been a Certified Athletic Trainer (NATA) for 36 years, and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist/Personal Trainer (NSCA) for 35 years. He has been fortunate to be the Athletic Trainer for Mainland Regional High School for all of those years. He has also been fortunate to be able to utilize his Strength and Conditioning Certification in helping design Mainland’s weightroom and design Sport Specific Training Programs for each of the sport teams over the years at Mainland.

He has a love and passion for football and has been especially involved in many ways with Mainland’s highly successful Football Program both taking care of orthopedic injuries, daily taping/wrapping as well as directing rehabilitation programs. He also has been able to work with the players in improving speed, agility, power and strength for many while running Competitive Edge Speed and Agility Camps in the early 2000’s. He advises players and coaches on nutrition, recovery and prevention of injuries.

He has always strived to serve the athletes with a high degree of integrity, being a positive influence for them, and helping them recover fully and get back to playing after difficult injuries. One huge positive impact on the football team especially is being the advisor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club (FCA) at Mainland since 2011, growing to almost 140 student athletes and nearly the entire football team.  He tries to use a sense of humor and laughter everyday in the Training Room, as he believes it is a great form of medicine itself.

He has been blessed to have his wife alongside him for all those years putting up with him and the type of schedule Athletic training entails. He enjoys spending time with family and is extremely proud of both his daughters, Isabella and Julia.

Millville High School

Colleen Bandachowicz is a graduate of Millville High School Class of 2001 and Cumberland County College Class of 2004 who has been involved in the world of athletics since she was 5 years old. She has played softball (was a member of the 1999 Babe Ruth World Series Championship Team), basketball, bowling, and soccer at various times throughout her life including into adulthood. She was certified as a softball umpire for a few years and coached youth basketball and soccer for a few seasons. Most recently, Colleen had been the proud and supportive “sports-mom” on the sidelines of numerous soccer, basketball, and field hockey games, cross country and track meets, and BMX races.

Colleen has been the Athletic Department Secretary at Millville High School since December 2007. Throughout her 17 years, she has been actively involved in the school and more specifically in the Athletic Department as more than just a secretary. She has been an Assistant Girls Basketball Coach, Director of Admissions, and has worked various athletic events as security, clock timer, and scorebook keeper. She helped bring back and facilitate interactive pep rallies, helped organize and participated in nine MHS Staff vs. Millville Police Department Charity Basketball Games (which raised over $7,000 for various charities), and has played in numerous Fundraiser Volleyball Tournaments hosted by the school. Colleen attended the National Healthy Schools Alliance for a Healthier Generation Forum in Little Rock, Arkansas to receive the Bronze National Recognition Award on behalf of the MHS Wellness Committee in 2012. She was a chaperone for the golf team spring break trip to Florida in 2013 and chaperoned a student fan bus to the 2016 South Jersey Group 5 Championship Football game when Millville brought home the win. 

Colleen resides in Millville with her husband, Matt, and their children: Kyla, Makayla, and Jacob. She is a proud Army Mom and Dog Mom, loves shopping at Hobby Lobby and taking on small home projects, and looks forward to her weekend breakfast dates with her husband.