William Paterson University Athletics

John Rotella returned to William Paterson to coach the running backs in 2008 after mentoring the backfield during the 2006 campaign. Now in his fifth season overall with the Pioneers, including his first as the offensive coordinator in 2011, he has helped to develop the skills of a trio of all-conference running backs in Mike Vicci (2006), Derrik Rideg (2008) and Marcus McKinney (2009).

Rotella also assists with the program’s recruiting efforts in Rockland and Warren Counties, and a portion of Bergen and Sussex (Hopatcong, Kittatiny, Pope John, Sparta, Sussex Tech, Vernon) Counties, and serves as the director of the Pioneers’ annual 7v7 Shootout.

A veteran of 20 years on New Jersey sidelines, he started his career at Westwood High School in 1983. After one year at Westwood and one at Midland Park High School, he took his first college job at Ramapo College, where he coached the running backs for the Roadrunners.

Rotella became Kennedy High School’s offensive coordinator in 1987, and the Knights were the undefeated Group 4 state champions. He then moved to the other side of the ball and became the defensive coordinator, helping to lead the Knights back to the state playoffs four of the next five years. Rotella accepted his first head coaching job at Boonton High School, leading the Bombers for five years before becoming the head coach at Demarest High School. Rotella left coaching to spend more time with his family, but he returned as an assistant coach at Ramapo High School and spent the next three years in the state playoffs, winning it all in 2003.

Rotella was a running back for the Ithaca College Bombers during the 1978 and 1979 seasons. He earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Slippery Rock University in 1982, and a master’s in administration/supervision from Jersey City State College in 1992. Rotella lives in Ringwood with his wife, Suesan, and daughters, Lauren and Kaylee.