Schwartz: Elizabeth Proud To Welcome Back Hometown Hero Todd Bowles
By Peter Schwartz
» More Columns
Ray Korn was at home watching the Miami-Duke college basketball game on Tuesday night when the news came across the bottom of his television screen that Todd Bowles was going to be the new head coach of the Jets.
"I texted it out to everyone I knew," said Korn, who was Bowles' baseball coach at Elizabeth High School in New Jersey and the school's former longtime athletic director.
"We had this multiple text going all night back and forth with the older players and with some of the other coaches and my son," Korn said. "When you spend so much time with kids, it's like having another son. We are so proud of him. It's hard not to be proud of him because he was such a good human being."
Bowles graduated in 1981 from Elizabeth High School, which is about 20 minutes away from his new digs at MetLife Stadium. He went on to Temple University before an eight-year NFL career as a safety with the Redskins and 49ers.
And now after paying his dues as an assistant coach, Bowles in back in the shadows of his old neighborhood -- and the community is all smiles.
"Everyone is very excited that one of our alumni has been selected to be the head coach of the Jets!" said Judy Finch-Johnson, Elizabeth High School's current director of athletics. "He dedicated his life to the sport, so it is gratifying to see him accomplish his ultimate goal of becoming a head coach."
During his high school years, it was easy for those around him to see Bowles had a coaching future in him. He picked things up quickly and led by example. And he did so without a whole lot of screaming and yelling.
Bowles was a man of few words, and that worked out very well for him.
"He was a very good athlete and he was very smart," said Korn, who is now retired and living in South Carolina. "He never said a lot. He was a pretty quiet guy. He was a good teammate. He understood what his job was. He could get guys in the right position."
Korn was the school's baseball coach from 1979 to 2009 and athletic director from 1984 to 2005. He wasted little time getting Bowles in the mix and brought him up to the varsity team as a sophomore. Bowles was a left-handed pitcher in addition to his football duties as a linebacker and tight end.
He was just as smart and good on the diamond as he was on the gridiron.
"He could pick things up quick," recalled Korn. "He could always pitch the big game because you knew he wasn't going to get nervous. He was more into studying what was going on and not worry about everything that surrounded the game that would make you nervous."
By the time Bowles was a senior, Elizabeth High School had won state titles in both sports. The 1981 season began a great run for the football program and it carried on into the 1990s and right up to the present day.
"The program was more than a team, they were a family," said Finch-Johnson. "Todd played a key leadership role in that family. I believe that replication of this philosophy, along with administrative support, has brought our program to where it is today."
Bowles was also focused in the classroom. He was an above-average student, spending his time going from class to class and then to practice and home. Bowles was described as a very low-key individual and very mature for his age.
That maturity allowed him to lead by example.
"All you had to do was watch what he did. And if you did what he was doing, then you did it right," Korn said.
And now Jets fans are hoping the Bowles will do the right thing as head coach.
Bowles is coming off of an impressive two-year stint as defensive coordinator for the Cardinals. On Thursday, he was named the 2014 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year. His unit was outstanding all season despite injuries to some key players.
Now the objective for Bowles is to turn the Jets around and win games instead of press conferences.
"He's completely different than Rex (Ryan)," Korn said. "He's not going to make bold statements all of the time. He's just going to do his job and he does it well."
Bowles' return to New Jersey has created a lot of excitement at his old stomping grounds. Now that he's back in town, there will be plenty of people that will want to come out to see the Jets play.
There's no doubt that the pride of Elizabeth is going to have to take care of what is expected to be many requests.
"I wouldn't want to have to give out tickets," Korn said. "Todd will go broke. I'm sure they're all going to go. They love him. He's one of their sons. It's a close-knit community, especially the football people."
Sounds like the Jets' decision to hire Todd Bowles as head coach is already paying dividends. Even before he wins one game, he's going to make owner Woody Johnson happy by filling some of those empty seats at MetLife Stadium!
Now all Bowles has to do is make sure that the Jets fill the 'W' column in the standings.
Welcome home, Todd!
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @pschwartzcbsfan.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories