Zoran Milich, who built Montgomery football from the beginning, talks about stepping down, but not necessarily out of the game

Zoran Milich has had his share of successes at Montgomery, building the football program from the ground up in 2000, sending countless players on the the next level, and winning a lot of football games.

But at least for now, Milich needs a time out.

Milich announced Thursday he would step down from the football program, but isn’t calling it a retirement.

He’s been nagged by some health problems over the years, and has missed a few games here and there because of it. To borrow a phrase from the sitcom “Friends,” he’s – at the very least – going on “a break” from coaching.

In 23 varsity seasons, the first coming in 2002, Milich – and the Cougars’ program, since he’s been their only head coach – has a record of 104-121-1, that tie coming just two years ago against Linden.

READ MORE: Milich earns 100th career coaching win – all at Montgomery

After an 8-1-1 year with a senior-heavy squad in 2023, the Cougars were 1-9 in 2024 after graduating a slew of seniors from an immensely veteran and talented group, but expect to be much improved as younger players who got a lot of experience this past fall return.

It wasn’t an easy decision to step aside, but at the end of the day, Milich told Central Jersey Sports Radio this week he needed to do what was best for himself, and that meant not coaching unless he felt he could give it everything he got.

While he says he’ll still be involved in football again, some day, it won’t be as a head coach at Montgomery. While he loves it there – and he plans to remain in the building as a social studies teacher – Milich wants to turn it over to someone who will be there for a long time, maybe as long as he was.

He says the administration has always been supportive of him, and continues to be, whether it’s his Athletic Director Kris Grundy, who’s also the Monty boys’ basketball coach, or Principal Heather Pino-Beattie.

Take a look on social media: between the three of them, you may never see a coach, AD, and principal who, in toto, are as passionate about supporting and promoting their students as they are.

And Milich hopes, whoever they choose, that person will fit the same mold.

“Coach Milich is one of my best friends and one of the most loyal and passionate individuals I’ve ever been around,” Grundy told Central Jersey Sports Radio. “He has taught me so much about coaching and about life in general. I am forever grateful for his friendship and all of the lessons he has taught me through the years.”

But even more, he added, “Thee entire Montgomery athletic community – not just the football program – is better for having Coach Milich as our head football coach for the last 25 years.”

Pino-Beattie also praised Milich.

“Throughout my years as an athlete and educator, I have never encountered a teacher or coach who has made as profound an impact on kids, in the classroom and on the field, as Zoran has,” Pino-Beattie said.

“Year after year, students, athletes, and parents return to share stories of how he has changed the trajectory of their lives. While the big games and incredible lessons are memorable, it’s the small, thoughtful gestures that truly set him apart. He has a unique ability to make everyone feel valued and like they belong, as if they’re the most important person in the world in that moment,” she said.

“We are all better people for having Zoran in our lives,” Pino-Beattie added. “I’m proud to call him my friend and grateful for the privilege of cheering him and our kids on from the sidelines for the past 15 years! His legacy will live on through the players, the coaches, and the memories.”

A successor has not yet been chosen. Milich says he’s made his recommendation, and will leave it at that, acknowledging there’s a whole process that will have to take place to find the next coach.

One of the more likely candidates could be Sean Carty, his offensive coordinator.

Carty has filled in for Milich on those few games he had to miss, including one notable one in 2021, during the pandemic, when the NJSIAA told schools they would not do the handshake line after games, for fear of COVID. Turns out, one of those games, Montgomery was playing Hillsborough, coached by Sean’s brother, Kevin.

So, after the game – even though they were brothers – they just had to wave at each other.

“Coach Milich has been an incredible influence and steady support throughout my athletic and professional journey,” Carty told Central Jersey Sports Radio.

“He coached me during my time at Somerville High School as part of my father’s (Kevin Carty, Sr.’s) staff and now I have had the privilege of teaching and coaching with him at Montgomery High School,” Carty added. “The opportunity to be a part of this amazing community has been life-changing for my family and me.”