Caldwell University Hires Retired James Caldwell High Football Coach: Ken Trimmer

CALDWELL, NJ — That was a quick retirement, Ken Trimmer.

Trimmer, a longtime football coach at James Caldwell High School in West Caldwell who announced his retirement after 53 years last November, has accepted an assistant coach job with the Caldwell University sprint football team for their inaugural season, school administrators announced Monday.

"I'm excited to join the Caldwell sprint football staff and provide a great opportunity for young men in the area to continue their football careers," Trimmer said “The excitement for the team's home opening day, with the support of the surrounding community, is one of the reasons I chose to join Head Coach Daryle Weiss' staff.”

• See related article: Longtime James Caldwell High Football Coach Will Retire

Caldwell University announced the launch of its inaugural sprint football team last year; the team will kick off its first season in the Collegiate Sprint Football League this fall.

Sprint football is a full-contact, intercollegiate, varsity sport and has the same rules as regular college football, except that all players must weigh 172 pounds or less, school administrators explained in a news release.

• See related article: Caldwell University Adds Sprint Football To Its Sports Program

According to Caldwell-West Caldwell School District administrators, Trimmer graduated from Montclair State College in 1964, and began teaching and coaching in Caldwell - West Caldwell that fall.

He retired as a teacher in 2010, administrators said.

• See related article: Class Dismissed: Eight Retire From CWC District

“In [Trimmer’s] 53 years in the district, his teams have performed exceptionally well, consistently making the playoffs and winning numerous state championships,” school administrators said.

Trimmer was inducted into the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association (NJSCA) Hall of Fame in 2012, was named 2008 Coach of the Year by the New Jersey Football Coaches and was honored as the first recipient of the Institute of Coaching Award.

According to school officials, Trimmer is “known as much for his community service as for the athletic accomplishments of his players.” School administrators identified him as a “tireless mentor and advocate for students and coaches” who has organized and implemented community service projects for the benefit of the Caldwell Food Pantry, St. Rocco’s Family Shelter and the South Ward Youth Development Center.

• See related article: Trimmer is Tireless on and off the Football Field
• See related article: Caldwell High Grad Replaces Trimmer in Gym

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Patch file photo: Ken Trimmer

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