WOOLWICH TWP. — Kingsway Regional High School has named Mark Hendricks, a former
assistant coach with James Madison University, the new head coach of the high school’s football
program.
Kingsway Superintendent Dr. James J. Lavender said, “Hendricks is a perfect fit for Kingsway. He stood out among a competitive and qualified group of applicants and possessed all the characteristics we want to see in professionals who work with teenagers.”
Hendricks becomes the second coach in almost 40 years, replacing coaching legend Tony
Barchuk who announced his retirement last month. Barchuk began his coaching career in 1979
and has coached in 366 games, placing him second on the active coaching list and his 206 wins
ranks him tenth on the all-time list. Barchuk’s 2001 team won a Group II title and his 1994, 1995
and 2012 teams advanced to the sectional finals.
“I’m excited about this opportunity and appreciate the faith leadership has put in me,” Hendricks
said. “It’s a privilege to be named the head football coach at a school with a rich tradition and a
passion for football.”
Hendricks began his extensive coaching career as an assistant football coach and defensive
coordinator with Rowan University in 2004 under University of Delaware Head Coach K.C.
Keeler. While at Rowan, Hendricks helped the Profs win NJAC Championships in 2004, 2005,
and 2006 and earn Team of the Year and Lambert Cup honors in 2004 and 2005. During Hendricks tenure as an assistant coach Rowan University won an impressive 69 games.
In 2008 Hendricks was hired by Head Coach Mickey Mathews, moving him into the Division I
(FCS) rankings as an assistant football coach with James Madison University. While at JMU,
Hendricks helped the team win a CAA Conference Championship in 2008 and reach the playoffs
in 2011.
Hendricks’ biggest coaching moment came in 2010 when JMU, a 32 point underdog,
upset the 13th ranked Virginia Tech, 21-16, in front of 66,000 Hokie fans. JMU’s defensive
coaching staff was recognized as “Game Changing Coaches” by FootballScoop.com. Hendricks coached cornerbacks and was responsible for recruiting in Delaware, NY, NJ and Ohio.
Hendricks left college coaching in 2012 to pursue a teaching career with Lenape Regional High
School where he taught business and coached football. While serving as Lenape’s defensive
coordinator, Hendricks helped the Indians win 17 games during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, and
his defense allowed just over 7 points per game and recorded 5 shutouts.
“I am excited about Coach Hendricks coming on board and I welcome our newest Dragon,” said
Kingsway’s Athletic Director June Cioffi. “Hendricks has demonstrated that he knows how to
build winning programs and can get players excited about football.”
Hendricks plans to meet with the current coaching staff next week. Plans to meet the football team and parents have been set for Monday, March 28th
Hendricks graduated from Rowan University in 1999 with a bachelor of arts in law and justice
studies. He earned his master’s degree at the University in higher education administration in
2004.
Hendricks played linebacker and safety on the Profs’ football team from 1996-1999. He
was named to the All-Conference first team and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC)
All-Star Team. Hendricks was a team captain in 1998 and 1999 and was named Rowan
University’s Player of the Year in 1999.
Hendricks was hired as an assistant football coach at his alma mater in 2004, serving as defensive coordinator through the 2008 season. The following year Hendricks joined Mickey Mathews’ James Madison University football coaching staff as a cornerbacks coach where he helped lead the JMU Dukes to a CAA Championship in 2008 and post-season play in 2011.
Hendricks returned to his native New Jersey in 2012, where he began a career teaching high school business at Lenape Regional High School and coaching high school football. Hendricks helped the Lenape Indians to impressive seasons in 2014 and 2015, where his defensive units allowed just over 7 points per game.
In 2016, Hendricks will become just the second football coach in 37 years at Group V Kingsway Regional High School and will begin teaching in the high school business department in the fall. Mark Hendricks resides with his family in East Greenwich Township.
