Montgomery introduces Sean Carty as new football coach, just second in program history

It’s not usually a great idea to follow a legend, the one every successor will be measured up against.

There’s always an exception to the rule, and this might be a textbook exception.

After nearly three decades of Zoran Milich creating, building, and coaching the Montgomery football program the reins have officially been handed over to Sean Carty – part of the Cougar football family for almost a decade – to take over as just the second head coach of the program in Monty history.

READ MORE: Zoran Milich, who built Montgomery football from the beginning, talks about stepping down

Carty has been the Offensive Coordinator for years, but has been teaching in Montgomery since 2011, joining Milich’s staff in 2018. But he was no stranger to Milich, who played his high school football at Somerville, and was on Kevin Carty, Sr.’s staff when his son Sean was playing.

Already a mentor, Sean went to Rutgers, and was coaching with his brother, Kevin Jr., at Bound Brook until 2010, then later at Hillsborough until a position opened up on the staff at Montgomery.

A circuitous route, no doubt, but Carty has more than paid his dues. And now, he’s the third of the Carty family sons to be a head coach. Kevin Jr. is still at Hillsborough – Montgomery’s neighbor along Route 206 – and Ryan just finished his first season as the head coach at the University of Delaware.

Carty was introduced at the school Wednesday afternoon, but we caught up with him by phone Tuesday night before his big day.

And if the results of the rest of his coaching family are any indication, and if he’s learned anything from Milich, his longtime mentor, there will be many big days ahead for Sean Carty and Montgomery football.

And what does Milich think about all this?

“This is a home run hire!” he told Central Jersey Sports Radio Tuesday afternoon, calling him “the perfect choice.”

“He is totally prepared for this opportunity after putting in many years mastering all three phases of the game — as an offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and special teams coach. On top of that, he’s deeply committed to building the future of the program,” Milich said, noting Carty just kicked off a tackle youth football program this past season, and that he’s always busy running a variety of youth football initiatives.

“His passion, leadership, and dedication to developing young athletes is unmatched. I have no doubt he will elevate the program to new heights while continuing to build a culture of excellence, integrity, and heart. Montgomery football is in great hands.”