Bado seems a perfect fit to take over Jaguars

BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

JACKSON — Patience. It was the key element in Steve Bado’s getting the coaching job he always wanted.

Bado was hired July 17 to take over the head coaching job of the Jackson High School boys soccer program.

Bado replaces Freddy Napoli, who held the varsity job for the last six seasons. Napoli, who led the Jaguars to a 6-10 mark last year with no postseason appearance, left the district to take a job coaching and teaching at Middletown High School North.

“I’m very excited about getting an opportunity to take over this program,” Bado said. “This is the coaching job I’ve always wanted. I’ve been involved in the soccer program here for a long time. I feel connected to it. I know all the kids in the system and feel that this is going to be a good fit.”

Indeed, Bado has put in his time at the junior varsity level. Bado coached the jayvee for the past 11 years, compiling a gaudy 117-19-30 record. In eight of his 11 seasons, Jackson finished with the best record in A South.

“I feel that I have paid my dues here,” Bado said. “I’ve been lucky to have some very successful teams. Hopefully, we can continue to have success at the varsity level.”

Bado feels the transition to the varsity level should go smoothly.

“I really don’t anticipate any kind of problems,” Bado said. “Most of the kids have played for me. I know their skill level, and they are familiar with my style of coaching.”

The upcoming 2005 season should be interesting. Bado inherits a young squad, with only four or five seniors returning.

“We’ve got a lot of youth on this team,” Bado said. “But a lot of the kids saw varsity minutes last season, so they have some varsity experience. It may take the underclassmen a few games to feel comfortable making the jump to the next level.”

The team has been practicing since mid-July. Bado is placing a heavy emphasis on defense.

“I’m building this team from the back up,” Bado said. “We have the entire defense back this season. I think that is going to be an area where we are pretty solid. I feel defense is the foundation of most successful programs.”

That’s not to say Bado isn’t going to mix things up. He plans on switching alignments to keep opposing defenses honest.

“We’ll come at them with a variety of looks,” Bado said. “I’m going to change what we are doing according to the needs and strength of this group of players. They are a great bunch of kids who are extremely motivated.”

Bado is the first Jackson High School graduate to coach the varsity soccer program. Bado played four years in the program from 1986-90.

The last time the Jags captured a state title was in 1990. Bado hopes to restore the Jackson program to a tradition of winning.

Jackson opens its regular season Sept. 10 at Toms River North. The Jags home opener is scheduled for Sept. 13 against Southern Regional.

“A-South is an extremely competitive conference,” Bado said. “We’re looking to qualify for both the Shore Conference and state tournaments. I feel those are both realistic goals. If the kids continue to work hard, stay healthy and motivated, we should have a good chance of meeting those expectations.”