Wrestling: Dave Sbriscia out as Warren Hills coach

This is certainly shaping as the craziest offseason in high school wrestling in recent memory around the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area.

After weeks of rumors and speculation, Warren Hills on Friday morning announced it's looking for the program's ninth head coach. Former wrestler Dave Sbriscia, who has guided the Blue Streaks to back-to-back sectional titles and Group 3 finals appearances the past two seasons, will not return for the 2023-24 campaign.

Sbriscia confirmed via text message that he informed the wrestlers of his resignation. According to sources, he is expected to be named head coach of the inaugural women's program at Centenary University in Hackettstown.

Athletic director Mike Jones thanked Sbriscia for his contributions to the Warren Hills program.

"I wish him well," said Jones, who hopes to have a replacement by the July 11 Board of Education meeting. "Dave took care of all the summer stuff, which I give him credit for."

Warren Hills celebrates a sectional title win

Warren Hills (18-4) is coming off one its most successful seasons (the program's 87th overall) in which it repeated as North 2, Group 3 sectional champions -- the program's seventh title overall and just its third since going back-to-back for the only other time in 1997 and '98. The Streaks ranked No. 13 (fifth among public schools) in the final New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20.

Sbriscia addressed the Warren Hills community via Facebook:

I have spent the past 20 years being a part of the Blue Streak wrestling family. Carrying the roles of wrestler, camp clinician, volunteer coach, assistant coach, and head coach. I have made many friends along the way, some I refer to as family. I cannot thank those who have supported me enough as I have followed my dream to lead my alma mater. It is with a heavy heart at this time I announce my resignation from the position of head wrestling coach at Warren Hills Regional. At this stage in my life it’s time to close one door and open another. I wish nothing but the best to my Blue Streak wrestling family and will miss each and every one of you mat side. A special thank you to my wife Kristyn and my children Emily, Tucker and Brody who have supported me along this journey through the countless highs and lows. I would also like to thank my parents Donna and Duane; Dad knew I could do this even before I knew I could.

Go Streaks 

David Sbriscia

“Proud to Be a Blue Streak”

Sbriscia, a two-time district champion (2005 and '06) and state qualifier for Warren Hills, was named the school's eighth head coach in 2018 after his coach, former Phillipsburg wrestler and coach Jarrett Hosbach, stepped down after 13 seasons.

Under Sbriscia, Hills went 78-23 overall over the past five seasons (including earning the program's 800th victory in 2023) and enjoyed a bit of a rebirth with its championship runs -- falling short to Delsea in 2022 and '23 in the quest for the Warren County school's third Group 3 title and first since 1997. 

The Streaks also captured a three-way share of the Skyland Conference Raritan Division title -- their fifth straight division championship (three outright). 

Warren Hills also accomplished something the program had done just once previously (1997-98) as the Streaks captured their seventh sectional title and second straight in North 2, Group 3 with an impressive 41-21 win over Cranford in Washington Township. The victory also avenged a 33-22 loss to the Cougars in the 2017 title match.

Sbriscia coached 24 district champions (including a program-record 11 in 2022), along with four region champions (Duro Ajayi in 2019, Tyler McCatharn in '20, Stephen Malia in '22 and Jarett Pantuso in '23) and four state placewinners (McCatharn sixth at 285 in '21 and '22 and Pantuso eighth at 215 in '21 and fifth in '23). That five-year run of district winners was the most since 1947-51, when the former Washington High School crowned 27 under the legendary John Goles.

Former Paramus and current Nazareth (Pa.) assistant Steve Klass, who applied when Sbriscia was hired, is expected to be a leading candidate. 

Current assistant coach and former Phillipsburg wrestler Zach Fisher could also be a candidate for the vacant Streaks post. Former state champion Marty White and Streaks wrestler K.C. Wanamaker are also on staff, but White already coaches two sports at Delaware Valley (girls soccer and baseball) and had indicated previously that he was happy in his current role as assistant.

The search for Sbriscia's successor is underway as North Hunterdon continues seeking a replacement for Chris Hrunka, a teammate of Sbriscia's and a 2007 region champion for Warren Hills. Hrunka stepped down following the 2022-23 season after six seasons in charge and a pair of Group 4 state championships under his watch.

North appeared to have its new head coach last month, but the Lions and former Somerville coach Brent McGuinness could not come to terms, according to sources, though Open Mike learned that former Bound Brook star Nick Accetta was offered the North job. Former Delaware Valley state champion Ricky Krieger, who served as head coach at Franklin and Wilson Area (Pa.), was among those to interview with the Lions.

Over in Sussex County, iconic High Point coach John Gardner announced the 2023-24 season will be his last in charge of the boys program. Gardner will focus on the girls, while longtime assistant and former 'Cats state champion Billy Smith will take over the boys for 2024-25.