Michael Brooks
Dom Santoli is the head wrestling coach at Bergen Catholic High School in New Jersey. He was named the third coach in the school's wrestling program history in March 2023. Santoli, a Bergen Catholic alumnus, has been a part of the Crusaders legacy as both an assistant coach and a wrestler. He is also the Physical Education Department Chair and Transportation Coordinator at the school. As head coach, Santoli aims to restore Bergen Catholic as the top wrestling program in North Jersey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dom Santoli |
| Position | Head wrestling coach |
| School | Bergen Catholic |
| School Location | New Jersey |
| Team Name | The Crusaders |
| School Colors | Red and gold |
| Previous Role | Former assistant and standout |
| Education | 2000 Bergen Catholic graduate |
| Other Roles | Physical Education Department Chair and Transportation Coordinator |
| Coaching Style | Toughness and team camaraderie |
| Wins in Santoli's Debut | 13 district champions |
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What You'll Learn
Dom Santoli's history with Bergen Catholic
Dom Santoli was named the head wrestling coach at Bergen Catholic in March 2023. He is a former Bergen Catholic wrestler and assistant coach, as well as a 2000 Bergen Catholic graduate. Before taking on the role of head coach, Santoli worked at the school for almost his entire professional career, spending over a decade on staff with the Crusader football and wrestling teams. He also served as the Physical Education Department Chair and Transportation Coordinator.
Santoli was chosen for the role of head coach following an "extensive national search". As a former state medalist and three-time district champion, he is tasked with restoring Bergen Catholic as the top wrestling school in North Jersey. In his debut season, the Crusaders landed 13 district champions and sent the entire starting lineup to regions.
Santoli's vision for his team's culture is built on toughness and camaraderie. He emphasizes the importance of working hard and making those who came before you proud. He has been described as well-liked and well-respected within the Bergen Catholic community, with students praising his ability to motivate and support them.
Santoli replaced former coach Dave Bell, who resigned in 2023 after 25 seasons with the program. In the same year, Santoli led a stacked freshman class that reinvigorated the wrestling program, pushing Bergen Catholic forward to a county championship and a top-five seed in the Non-Public A state tournament.
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Santoli's vision for the wrestling team
Santoli's vision for the team is also reflected in his own experience as a wrestler at Bergen Catholic. He was a county champion and three-time district champion in his early days under Coach Bell. Santoli's commitment to the school and its student-athletes aligns with Bergen Catholic's strive toward excellence with its nationally recognized program.
As a coach, Santoli has been described as someone who ""gets [his wrestlers] fired up". He has a way of giving his wrestlers "that spark before a match" with a simple "nudge". This has helped the team secure important wins. Santoli's vision for the wrestling team is not just about winning, but also about the impact he can have on the students' lives. He wants to help them become the best versions of themselves, both on and off the mat.
Santoli's vision for the team is also reflected in his approach to coaching. He emphasizes the importance of hard work and toughness, but also wants his wrestlers to enjoy the process and have a positive experience. He encourages team bonding and makes sure his wrestlers stay connected, even outside of the season, through workouts, pool parties, and other social events. This has helped the team gel and form a united mindset that "anything is possible".
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The team's performance in Santoli's debut
In March 2023, Dom Santoli was named the new head wrestling coach at Bergen Catholic, taking on the role of the third coach in the program's history. Santoli, a Bergen Catholic alumnus, had spent over a decade as an assistant coach with the Crusader football and wrestling teams and also served as the Physical Education Department Chair and Transportation Coordinator.
Santoli's debut as head coach was a successful one, with the Crusaders finishing with 13 district champions and sending their entire starting lineup to the regions. They placed fourth at the Bergen County tournament, although it is worth noting that they held back most of their starters. Despite this, the team still managed to secure 13 district champions, with senior Riley Halal notably leading the team to a 347.5-163.5 victory over second-place Wayne Valley.
The Crusaders' performance in Santoli's debut was a strong start, and they looked to build on this success in the upcoming tournaments. Santoli's impact on the team was evident, with one of the wrestlers, Bacchioni, attributing their success to Santoli's ability to "get them fired up". Santoli's enthusiasm and motivation for his new role were clear, and he expressed his commitment to having a positive impact on the wrestlers' lives.
Looking forward, Santoli faced the challenge of restoring Bergen Catholic as the top wrestling team in North Jersey. He planned to speak with the team to lay out his expectations and gather feedback, demonstrating his dedication to continuous improvement. Santoli's vision for the team's culture was based on toughness and camaraderie, and he believed that working hard and making those before them proud were key values.
Santoli's impact on the team extended beyond their performance on the mat. He was well-liked and respected within the Bergen Catholic community and had a great rapport with the student body. His appointment as head coach was met with enthusiasm, and he was determined to make a difference in his new role. With a talented freshman class and a strong foundation, the Crusaders were poised to continue their success and work towards reclaiming their top position in North Jersey wrestling.
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Santoli's rapport with the students
Dom Santoli has a great rapport with the students at Bergen Catholic. He is a Bergen Catholic lifer, having spent almost his entire professional career working at the school. He is a 2000 Bergen Catholic graduate and has been a part of the Crusaders legacy both as an assistant and a wrestler. He has spent more than a decade on staff with the Crusader football and wrestling teams and also serves as the Physical Education Department Chair and Transportation Coordinator.
Santoli is well-liked and respected by the students, who appreciate his ability to fire them up and get them ready to perform. One student, Bacchioni, said, "I've had him in my corner the whole season and it gives me that spark before a match. He'll come up to me and give me a little nudge and it gets me ready to go." Another student, Aidan Wallace, expressed his gratitude for Santoli's support, saying, "He's always had my back."
Santoli's impact extends beyond the wrestling mat. He is committed to having a positive influence on the lives of his students, as he stated: "I had to put my hat in and express how Bergen Catholic I am and how much it means to me to have an impact on these kids' lives as a head coach." He fosters a culture of toughness and camaraderie, encouraging students to work hard and make those around them proud.
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The school's search for a new coach
The search for a new coach for the Bergen Catholic wrestling team followed former coach Dave Bell's resignation in February 2023, after 25 seasons in the program. The school's athletic director, Brendan McGovern, conducted an "extensive national search" for a candidate. Ultimately, the school decided to hire from within, appointing Dom Santoli, a Bergen Catholic alumnus, as the third coach in the program's history.
Santoli was a natural fit for the role, having spent almost his entire professional career at the school. He was a standout wrestler himself, achieving county champion and three-time district champion status during his time as a student. He then went on to play football at Delaware, before returning to Bergen Catholic in 2006. Santoli has been an assistant coach for over a decade and also serves as the Physical Education Department Chair and Transportation Coordinator.
The school's athletic department praised Santoli's courage, competitiveness, and commitment to Bergen Catholic, stating that he is well-liked and respected within the community. His vision for the team is built on toughness and camaraderie.
Santoli expressed his excitement and motivation for his new role, stating that he is proud to be a part of the Bergen Catholic community and is eager to have an impact on the students' lives as a head coach. He also acknowledged the challenge of restoring the wrestling team to its former glory, aiming to make them the "top dog" in North Jersey once again.
With a talented freshman class and a dedicated coach, the future looks bright for the Bergen Catholic wrestling program. Santoli's extensive experience with the school and his rapport with the students will undoubtedly contribute to the team's success and the positive development of its athletes.
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Frequently asked questions
Dom Santoli is a Bergen Catholic graduate who has been named the third head wrestling coach of the school. He is a former state medalist and three-time district champion.
Dom Santoli is the head wrestling coach at Bergen Catholic High School. He also serves as the Physical Education Department Chair and Transportation Coordinator.
Dom Santoli is a Bergen Catholic lifer with a long history in wrestling. He was a county champion and three-time district champion as a wrestler at Bergen Catholic. He then served as an assistant coach for the wrestling team for many years before becoming the head coach.
As the head wrestling coach, Dom Santoli aims to restore Bergen Catholic as the top wrestling program in North Jersey. He plans to foster a culture of toughness and team camaraderie, encouraging his wrestlers to work hard and represent the school with pride.
In his debut as head coach, Santoli led the Crusaders to 13 district champions and sent the entire starting lineup to regions. The team also landed a top-five seed in the Non-Public A state tournament. With a strong freshman class, Santoli has helped reinvigorate the wrestling program at Bergen Catholic.
