Anthony Colletti Jr. was born with coaching in his DNA, and for the last dozen years he’s had Viking blood flowing through his veins.
So when Erik Dial stepped down as the head baseball coach at Union Catholic after last year, the perfect opportunity presented itself for Colletti to become the head coach at UC, where he was a standout player during his days as a Viking (Class of 2014).
Colletti, who has been on the baseball coaching staff at Union Catholic since 2018, saw his dream become a reality when he was elevated from assistant coach to head coach this off season. Colletti, who teaches physical education at St. Theresa’s in Kenilworth, was an assistant JV coach at UC in 2018, and then became a varsity assistant in 2019.
“When coach Dial stepped away, I felt the kids on the team needed a face that has been around,” said Colletti. “I felt like this was the perfect time for me to take over, and I couldn’t be happier than to be the head coach and be part of something special that will hopefully take place over the next couple years.”
What’s Colletti’s vision for the program?
“My goal for the program is to rebuild and go out and get the kids that need to be here, and to be able to compete at the top level of Union County with teams like Cranford, Gov. Livingston, and Scotch Plains,” said Colletti.
Colletti said the fact that he played at UC makes being the head coach at his alma mater even more meaningful to him.
“I felt this program needed a guy who is going to bring back the alumni, and welcome them with open arms,” he said. “We are such a big alumni school and always give back to one another, and we never forget where we came from, so I feel the emphasis on our alumni here at UC will help rebuild the program.”
After graduating from UC in 2014, Colletti went on to star at Middlesex County College where he was an All Academic Regional player. He still holds multiple pitching records at Middlesex.
Colletti said becoming a coach was always part of his plan, but when he hurt his pitching shoulder in his second year at Middlesex, that sped up the process.
“After I tore up my shoulder I realized that I wouldn’t be able to use my other two years of eligibility, so I started thinking about getting into coaching a little sooner than I expected,” said Colletti. “So I joined the staff at Middlesex as a volunteer assistant for two years before I came to UC.”
Colletti was born to coach.
He has been around sports his whole life, tagging along to games and practices with his father, Anthony Sr. since he was old enough to walk. His father was a highly successful coach during a remarkable 30-year career as the boys basketball coach at St. Mary’s in Elizabeth.
Colletti said his father, his head baseball coach at UC (Dr. Jim Reagan Jr.), and his head coach at Middlesex (Chris Mooney), all had a major impact on his career path.
“I can’t even explain how much all those people have done for me and how much they mean to me,” said Colletti. “It’s incredible to be in the position I am in today being back here at Union Catholic, and they all played a big part in that. It starts with my father and being around sports since I was born, running around during his practices and just being around him all the time. I saw how my father’s former players would always come back and keep in touch with him. That’s always stuck with me. That’s the way I want to run this program. My father is obviously the biggest reason why I’m where I am today.’
Dave Luciano, the Athletic Director at UC and a member of the baseball coaching staff when Colletti played at UC, is ecstatic to have Colletti take over the program.
“It’s really come full circle for Anthony,” said Luciano. “I remember when Anthony was a seventh grader when he decided that Union Catholic was the only place he wanted to go to school. And now some 15 years later, he’s now trying to sell this school to seventh graders. I’m so proud to see the young man that he’s turned into, and the vision he has for the program. I’m certain that no one is going to work harder. He’s already putting the work in. The program is in very good hands with Anthnoy, not only as an alumni, but someone who really knows our school, knows our program, and knows what we are all about. It’s been such a smooth transition. I knew we made the right decision on appointing Anthony when I let the returning players know. Just to hear the passion and emotion from the kids that he was going to be their coach, you know that you hit it on the head and got it right. The challenges will be there for Anthony as he becomes the guy in charge, but I know he’s more than up for the job.”
