About Us

Michael Katz

 
Director of 4th and Inches Football Camp

 
Special Teams Coordinator / DBs / OL at Saint Peter's Prep

 
3rd Season at SPP

 
18th Overall Coaching

 
Mike Katz joined the Marauders' staff of Saint Peter's Prep in 2011 and mentors the Defensive Backs, Offensive Line and coordinates the Special Teams for one of the top High School football programs in New Jersey. During the 2012 season, SPP finished ranked #10 in the state and was a State Playoff Semi-finalist. In addition, 3 of coach Katz's DB's received full scholarship offers to pursue football at the collegiate level (Vanderbilt, Boston College, and Lehigh). Prior to joining the staff at SPP, Coach Katz spent 1 season at Fairleigh Dickinson University coaching the Defensive Line and assisting with the Special Teams. In addition, Coach Katz mentored the linebackers while Coordinating the defense for one of the elite high school programs in New Jersey and all of the East Coast at Bergen Catholic High School. In just two seasons, Coach Katz helped Bergen Catholic to 2 playoff appearances, its 1st State Championship appearance since 2004 and its best overall record since 2004. In addition, his defense allowed an average of 14.50 points per game and an average of 211.5 yards per game. Plus, they held State Champion (Don Bosco Prep) to its lowest point total and lowest total yards of any NJ opponent in 2008. Also, they were the only opponent to hold the All-State RB from Don Bosco Prep under 100 yards rushing in 2008. In 2009 they held State Champion and #1 Nationally Ranked Don Bosco Prep to their lowest point total and lowest total yards of any NJ opponent and the smallest point differential (8) of any NJ opponent since 2005. Finally, his Special teams accounted for 7 Blocked Kicks, returned 3 Punts and 1 Kickoff for TD's and set a School Record for Longest Kick Return (92 yards).

 
Coach Katz has had a decorated career during his involvement with football. In high school, Coach Katz played at Union during the Glory years under Lou Rettino. He starred on the Offensive and Defensive Lines and was an All-Union County, All-Daily news, and All-AP 1st team performer at Center during his senior season. During his 4 years at Union, the Farmers claimed a 42-2 record, 4 State Championships and 3 times were voted as the #1 team in the State of New Jersey. After high school, Coach Katz continued his career at Rutgers and Montclair State University where he played Linebacker and Center. It was at this time that Katz realized he wanted to make a career out of working in Athletics.

 
During Katz’s coaching career, he has had the fortune of working with some of the best coaches the State has to offer. Among his highlights are coaching the offensive line and tight ends at St. Joseph Regional of Montvale when the school captured a 1999 state championship and was ranked No. 7 nationally by USA Today. Coach Katz was named the Defensive Coordinator for the 2002 A. L. Johnson high school team that won a State Championship. The team was known for its swarming defense and produced 60 sacks. In addition, its goal-line stand during the second half of the State-Championship game was the decisive moment, as Johnson held 3 times from the one yard line. After the season, Coach Katz was named the Head man at Johnson High School (2003).
 

Finally, in February of 2005, Mike Miello took over the reins of William Paterson University and made Katz one of his 1st hires. At William Paterson, Coach Katz’s duties included coaching Linebackers as well as being the Special Teams Coordinator. Plus, he handled all of Central Jersey for recruiting. In his three seasons at William Paterson, Coach Katz helped take a team that had not had a non-losing season since 1993 and went 5 – 5 in two different seasons. In addition, this past season the Pioneers had the most conference wins the team has had since 1994. Among the other accomplishments, was the first shut-out of an opponent since 1994 (accomplished this twice). During the first season, William Paterson defeated Rowan who was ranked #2 nationally at the time of the game and finished ranked #4 in the nation for all of Division III. This was just 1 of 4 teams the Pioneers defeated that were ranked in the Top 20 in Division III at the time they played. In addition, the Punt Return team finished ranked 39th in the nation with an 11.5 yard average return and one of their linebackers received Honorable Mention All-American Status. This was only the second time in school history that an athlete had received such an honor. During the 2006 campaign, the Punt team finished ranked 27th in the nation in Net punt yards and the Punter set a school record for most punts downed inside the 20 yard line. This past season the Pioneers Kick Returner led the Nation in Average Kick Return Yardage, the Kick Return Team ranked 29th in the Nation and the Kicker set a school record for highest field goal percentage in a season. Since Katz’s arrival, the Pioneer program has won a total of 11 games. In every one of them, the Special teams unit has accounted for a score, blocked kick or a return of over 30 yards. Plus, in those 11 games, the Special Teams has directly accounted for the winning margin in 6 of the games, including 4 this year alone. Finally, Coach Katz was given the honor of being asked to speak at the 2008 AFCA Annual Football convention in Anaheim, California. The convention routinely is attended by over 5000 coaches from across the United States.