Consider a Head Coach for 10 years who has molded and developed hundreds of wrestlers as athletes & students into productive citizens.

Then as assistant coach, who, out of the limelight, toiled for more than 20 years to coach and support wrestling programs.

Such is Denny D'Andrea.

D'Andrea graduated from Raritan High School in Hazlet, New Jersey in 1968, where he excelled in baseball, football and wrestling. After graduating from Glassboro State College in 1972, D'Andrea began his coaching career as a volunteer at Manalapan high School before taking over as the head coach at Freehold High School from 1973-77.

He returned to Manalapan High as the head wrestling coach from 1977-82, leading his teams to the Shore Conference tournament and District 24 championships in 1981 and 1982.

D'Andrea then made a significant career move, becoming the assistant wrestling coach for Tony Caravella at Brick Memorial for 20 years from1983-2002. Denny was instrumental in Brick Memorial's domination in the 1980s and 1990s while also coaching football and baseball. Brick Memorial in those years won 12 conference, 10 State Sectional Central Jersey Group 3 and five Group 3 titles while amassing 26 district titles. At Manalapan & Brick Memorial, he coached five state champions, 44 regional and 120 district champions.

Many honors came his way, including induction into the Manalapan High School Hall of Fame, the Raritan High School Hall of Fame, the Region 6 Hall of Fame, and the New Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame. D'Andrea was selected as Region Coach of the Year twice and was also named Asbury Park Press Coach of the Year.

Coach Caravella stated that "Denny had more to do with making our program the success it was, and still is, than any single person, including myself. He is a worker through and through, a person who never looks for the easy way out, but rather the way that is right. He imparted much more than wrestling technique to his minions. Coach D'Andrea preached work ethic, character, family, commitment, pride and above all, loyalty. He did it with class and dignity. He taught young boys how to become men and ultimately, good fathers and husbands."

But his impact in the sport extended beyond his own wrestlers. He was the Region 6 ranking chairman for several years and served on the selection committee for the sectional/group tournament. D'Andrea also founded the "Mustang Zoo" over 25 years ago, which is still the state's largest sub-varsity tournament. He directs & runs the tournament during the Christmas break, plays a huge role in making the State All-Star Meet a success, helps run district tournaments, has demonstrated at countless clinics, served as weigh master & head table clerk at the Group Championships, and has supported the sport in every capacity.

D'Andrea is now the head wrestling coach at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel. He is particularly proud of his seven former wrestlers who became head coaches and the 30 others who also continued in this vocation.

Contemporary Bill Savage, also a Hall of Fame honoree, says that "wrestling is not a sport but a way of life and the values you receive from wrestling will be a major importance in your success in life. As a coach it is your responsibility to instill these values into every member of your team & every wrestler you come in contact with. Denny has spent his life helping spread these ideals."

Coach D'Andrea shared that "I was a 'throwaway kid,' going on my own at 16 and paid my own way. I worked ridiculous hours and when I graduated from Glassboro (Rowan) I didn't owe anyone anything. I knew there were kids out there just like me. When I went to high school a few coaches took me under their wing. They cared about me. I knew what I was destined to do. I sincerely cared about my kids. They knew it. I was very demanding. VERY. If I ever get selected to the Hall of Fame I want my kids to know it was due to them, not me. I have accomplished what I set out to do."

Well Denny, you are now a member of the Hall of Fame.