Schools
Coaches Corner: Summit Head Football Coach John Liberato
Making another run for a championship season.
Summit football head coach has been at the helm for the Hilltoppers since the 2007 season. His teams have qualified for the playoffs every season since 2008 and this year looks to be no different. Liberato has Summit off to a hot start once again, leading the Hilltoppers to nine straight victories in their 2011 campaign.
Before coming to Summit, the New Providence native was an assistant at his hometown high school, a head coach at Hanover Park high school and also had coaching stints at Parsippany and Howell.
Liberato instills two simple core values in his team year in and year out.
“Pride and discipline,” said Liberato. “We want our kids to be proud of who they are and where they come from. The discipline comes in setting goals and having the persistency to go through with them.”
The fifth-year coach recalls one moment that stands above the rest in his time leading the Hilltoppers.
“ at the Meadowlands,” Liberato quickly answers when asked to recall his best career coaching moment.
The 28-19 state championship victory over Orange at Giants Stadium capped an undefeated 12-0 2009 campaign for the Hilltoppers. The team set a school record or victories, and was the third in school history to finish the season undefeated.
With his strong team off to the NJSIAA Group 2 - North 2 Finals, coach Liberato may soon be adding another state championship trophy to his collection.
