Dennis McCaffery wasn’t planning on coaching baseball this season. But fate, and a conversation with St. Joseph High School administrators, intervened. The result is a major coup for the Metuchen school, as they’ve announced the hiring of the legendary coach to replace Mike Murray Jr. who recently stepped down.
St. Joseph made a splash with the announcement Friday that they’ve hired McCaffery, who retired after a remarkable 25-year career as Cranford’s head coach following the 2024 season. During his tenure with the Cougars, McCaffery amassed an impressive 511 wins, three state championships, and numerous other accolades. His remarkable achievements earned him inductions into both the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2010) and the Union County Baseball Association Hall of Fame (2012). He ranks as the fourth-winningest coach in Union County history.
“It is my distinct pleasure to welcome Dennis McCaffery and his family to the Saint Joseph brotherhood,” said St. Joseph president John G. Nolan in a press release. “His commitment to building successful men on and off the field makes Dennis a perfect fit for our community. I can’t wait to see Dennis bring his winning attitude and culture to the baseball program.”
The opportunity arose after McCaffery spoke with school administrators, including President Nolan, Athletic Director Bill Tracy, and Principal Anne Rivera. The support they offered, combined with a new role at the school, proved too enticing to pass up. McCaffery, who spent 27 years as principal at Lincoln School in Cranford, will begin Monday as St. Joseph’s assistant dean of students.
McCaffery inherits a team poised for a rebound. After a rare rebuilding year, the young squad, featuring several underclassmen, finished 7-20 against a challenging schedule. With nearly the entire team returning, McCaffery has a solid foundation to build upon.
His baseball resume is undeniably impressive. Before his illustrious coaching career, McCaffery achieved significant success as a player. He won a state baseball title for Roselle Park High School in 1987 and then excelled at Brookdale Community College, where he was named a First Team Junior College All-American and the 1989 Region 19 Junior College Player of the Year.
He continued his playing career at Villanova University, making an immediate impact in the 1990 season. He served as team captain and earned Big East Player of the Year honors. Despite being drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1990, he returned to Villanova for his senior year, leading the Wildcats to the 1991 Big East title and an NCAA Tournament berth. McCaffery’s collegiate achievements include being tied for sixth in Villanova history with a .373 batting average and ranking 10th in single-season RBIs (58).
Following his collegiate career, McCaffery was drafted by the California Angels in the 19th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He played three seasons of professional baseball, hitting .263 with 176 hits and 81 RBIs in 196 games. Now, he brings his wealth of experience and winning tradition to St. Joseph, marking an exciting new chapter for the school’s baseball program.
