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MORRISTOWN - Nick Nardo has always wanted to be a head coach. After many years of serving as an assistant for various sports at Union Local, his wish has been granted.
Nardo, a 2007 graduate of Union Local, has worn a variety of hats during his days with the Jets, including serving as the Athletic Director and being an assistant in boys’ and girls' basketball, as well as track.
"I'm definitely excited," Nardo said. "First of all, I want to say thank you to Superintendent Zac Shutler; the Board of Education; High School Principal Tom Daley and Athletic Director Drew Greenwood for giving me the opportunity.
"I've always wanted to do this at least once in my life. The opportunity came this year and here we are."
Nardo was approved during last week's Union Local Board of Education meeting. He replaces Lou "Scooter" Tolzda who stepped down over the summer.
"I've done a little bit of everything," Nardo added, "but basketball has always been my favorite sport."
As an assistant, Nardo has worked under Ben Porter, Drew Greenwood and Tolzda.
"I want to take a little bit from all three of them," he continued. "Ben was a defensive guru. He got relentless effort out of every player. I took a lot of stuff I learned under him and have used it the past few years.
"I also learned a lot from Drew on the offensive side. He is a technician ... very tactical. He would always say 'hustle will get you into position to make the play, tactical skills will allow you to make the play.'
"Scooter was always very poised. He is a wealth of knowledge," Nardo stressed. "I remember being in the regional finals in 2022 and it was a very intense game, but he was very poised the entire game. He never wavered. He called plays under pressure all the time.
"I respect all three of those guys."
The Union Local program has been one of the best in recent years in the Eastern District, and Nardo doesn't plan on making any sweeping makeovers.
"No major changes to the way our program is run," he noted. "I thought about it, but I've mostly read - and been told - that it is best to get your system to fit the players and not the players fitting into the system.
"The tendencies, concepts and calls will all be the same," he added. "I ran the defense the last couple of years, mostly, under Scooter. "I got my concepts from Ben."
Graduation did claim four starters who had a large amount of success during their careers, not only in basketball, but volleyball, as well.
"The cupboard isn't bare despite losing a huge and very successful senior class," Nardo praised. "We've got senior Ameera Saunders who still isn't cleared to compete after her serious knee injury last year. Nobody but her knows what she has been through. We've all been very supportive of her to get better and do what is best for her.
"Three juniors Ellie (Greenwood), Edyn (McGary) and Lindsay (Davis) have all seen some time in the past. Ellie moved into the starting lineup last year when Ameera went down and did a good job for a sophomore.
"It's going to be a little different. We've always been blessed with good size, and we have Ameera, but not much after that."
Before he was named to the position, he took in a few summer league games.
"I watched them play this summer and they played hard. They played for each other and not for themselves," he said. "Usually when you have that you can be engaged. Truly, I kind of like flying under the radar though.
"You cannot replace what that group of seniors did in their careers," Nardo said of Laken Vinskovich, Delaney Butler, Myah Martin and Ali Kellaway. We never had a bad practice with those girls and they were a joy to be around."
As far as a staff goes, Nardo said Rich Mercer will return and Amy Mason will move up from JV staff.
The Jets open the 2026-27 campaign on November 25 at Meadowbrook.