Tag: Lou Grasso

by Mike Pavlichko

After 11 seasons at Union, Lou Grasso steps down to take AD job at Colonia

Union head coach Lou Grasso has stepped down as head coach of the Farmers’ football program after eleven seasons, making the announcement on the team’s Twitter page Friday afternoon.

Grasso will take over as Director of Athletics at Colonia High School, after being approved by the Woodbridge Board of Education Thursday night, as confirmed by the district office to Central Jersey Sports Radio. He’ll take over from Ben LaSala, who retired from coaching the Patriots in 2013 and has been in the position since.

Grasso has been the head coach at Union since 2013, compiling a 67-49 record, with his team’s best season coming in 2019. They went 12-1 and won the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 title over Clifton, 42-28, before falling to Ridgewood in the North Group 4 “regional title game.”

In his first season at Union, he brought the Farmers to the North 2, Group 5 final at Rutgers, where they fell to Ridge in the championship game, 48-13.

Grasso is the fourth Big Central coach to leave a big school this spring, following the departure of Joe LaSala – Ben’s son – from Woodbridge. He was replaced by Joe Goerge, who left South Brunswick to take the Barrons’ job. And Jim DeSarno recently stepped down after a long run at Westfield to take the AD position there, following the retirement of Sandra Mamary.

Now, Union will be in the market for a new head coach with summer workouts right around the corner.

Click below to hear Lou Grasso talk about leaving Union, and becoming the new Athletic Director at Colonia High School:

by Mike Pavlichko

This Week in the Big Central – Episode 6: The Live Show

Episode 6 of “This Week in the Big Central,” driven by Mark Montenero and his team at the world-famous Autoland finds us on the road – where else – at Autoland Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram on Rt. 22 East!

Mike Pavlichko previews Friday night’s Big Central Game of the Week driven by Autoland, featuring Westfield (2-1) and No. 3 Union (3-1).

Mike Pavlichko is joined by Westfield senior defensive back James Csorba, and senior offensive linemen Duke Edmonson and Jack Price. Representing Union is senior wideout/defensive back and Rutgers commit Davison Igbinosun, senior quarterback/defensive back Jaden Stewart, and senior two-way lineman Najee Bowe Pinckney. The Farmers’ cheerleaders welcomed and sent off the group.

  • Westfield players talk about their season. From l. to r., OL Jack Price, OL Duke Edmondson, DB James Csorba, and host Mike Pavlichko. (Photo: KJ Singh)
  • The Union cheerleaders welcome the Farmers players before they take the mic. (Photo: KJ Singh)
  • Union players talk with Mike Pavlichko (far right). From l. to r.: OL/DL Najee Bowe Pinckney, QB/DB Jaden Stewart, WR/DB Davison Igbinosun. (Photo: KJ Singh)
  • Westfield head coach Jim DeSarno (left) and Union head coach Lou Grasso talk about their teams and Friday night’s game with Mike Pavlichko. (Photo: KJ Singh)

Then, coaches Jim DeSarno of Westfield and Lou Grasso of Union join Mike to talk about their careers and Friday night’s game.

Mike wraps it up with a quick look at the Week 5 slate coming up this weekend.