Kenny Brock is always looking for new challenges. As Parsippany’s fourth head football coach in as many years, Brock has found a lot of them.
Brock, 37, joined Tom Struble’s staff last fall as the linebackers coach and assistant defensive coordinator. When Struble announced in April he’d be moving to Florida after a 2-7 season, it was Brock’s wife Melissa who suggested he apply.
The couple got married in October 2020 and have two young children. But Melissa Brock, an occupational therapist at Northvail Elementary, insisted she’d hold the family together while Kenny devoted himself to the team.
Brock is taking the alternate route to the classroom after a career in TV production at CBS Sports and Food Network, and with Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week.” He is teaching TV production and marketing classes at Parsippany.
“I’m the happiest I’ve been,” said Brock, who grew up in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and admits he isn’t fully integrated into Morris County football yet.
“I’ve found a way to connect with the kids. … Because I have experience in the corporate world, I’m able to bring a different mindset and approach than somebody who’s been coaching and teaching for 25 years. I think the kids appreciate it.”
Perhaps that’s just what the Red Hawks need.
There were only 35 players on the roster last fall, 12 of whom graduated. About 40 have turned up at summer workouts, including just four seniors: center Mostafa Abdelhamed, RB/LB Joseph Fucci, WR/CB Rocco Marucci, and receiver turned QB Christian Marto.
“They’ve been true leaders, which is a welcome change for us, holding us accountable in positive ways,” Brock said. “They’re making sure kids are showing up in the weight room and for offseason workouts. From my side, I trust these kids to be the tone-setters for what I hope will be a change in culture.”
The tradition
In 2019, Parsippany had its first winning season since 1998. The Red Hawks reached the NJSIAA North 1 Group 2Â final, falling to Lyndhurst.
That was just their second appearance in a sectional championship, the first since a 26-0 loss to Phillipsburg in 1977.
Parsippany has never won a sectional title.
The challenge
Brock and assistants Liam Dugan – the Parsippany Regional lacrosse coach – and Alex Chauvette, a Red Hawks alumnus, have been recruiting the high school hallways. Brock’s five-year goal is to relaunch youth football on the High side of town. Currently, kids who are interested in playing go to the Parsippany Little Vikings, which is more closely aligned with Parsippany Hills.
Expectations
Parsippany competed against Montclair Kimberley, Barringer, Roselle and Belleville at Verona’s 7-on-7 tournament and big-man challenge. The Red Hawks also had a 7-on-7 against Morristown Beard, where Struble and Parsippany offensive coordinator Robert Rollo used to be on staff.
The idea was to get “some shine” for the offensive and defensive linemen, as well as experience under center for Marto.
Said Brock, “I want him to make those mistakes in the summer, and learn how to move on from those mistakes when the season comes. We don’t want to make those mid-July mistakes in early September.”
But success isn’t about wins and losses at Parsippany. The goal is to be more competitive, particularly late in games. The Red Hawks were outscored by 235 points last fall, and shut out by Boonton and West Side. They won the last two games: 34-6 against winless Hopatcong and 18-13 at North Warren, who had just one victory.
“My message to the kids is, ‘It’s OK to fail,'” said Brock, who played fullback and linebacker in high school. “You have to be willing to put yourself out there and give that effort. How are we going to compete? How are we going to face adversity?”
2025 schedule
Week 0: vs. Whippany Park
Week 1: at Boonton
Week 2: vs. Pequannock
Week 3: at High Point
Week 4: vs. Hanover Park
Week 5: vs. Morris Catholic
Week 6: at Madison
Week 7: vs. West Side
Week 8: at Hopatcong
