Gloucester Catholic dismisses coach

Tony Garczynski has been removed as Gloucester Catholic's football coach after 13 seasons at his alma mater.

Gloucester Catholic athletic director Pat Murphy announced the move Wednesday morning.

"This was a difficult decision to make," Murphy said in a statement. "Coach Tony Garczynski is an alumnus who has worked tirelessly as a former player, assistant coach, and head coach.

"Coach Garczynski has conducted himself with integrity and with the good of Gloucester Catholic students in mind."

Garczynski said he had hoped to continue coaching the Rams for a couple of years.

"It's disappointing, but this is what happens when you start losing," Garczynski said. "They wanted to go in another direction, and that's that. Football coaches get fired every day."

Garczynski's teams were 63-73 in 13 seasons. Between 2007 and '09, the Rams were 25-8, and the 2007 team was the last team to beat Williamstown in Tri-County Royal play.

But over the last four seasons, the Rams slumped to 11-29. Gloucester Catholic was 3-7 this season and lost its last five games, including a 34-14 setback to crosstown rival Gloucester on Thanksgiving.

The immediate future looks challenging, too, as Garczynski said there were fewer than 10 players from the sophomore and junior classes this season.

"It's tough leaving the kids, the parents, my coaching staff," Garczynski said. "I had a lot of support through the years, and I appreciate that."

Murphy said Gloucester Catholic will open up a search for a new coach after the holidays.

Garczynski said he hopes to continue coaching, perhaps as an assistant with another South Jersey program.