Matt Kreider lands head football coach job at Lenape

Matt Kreider has handled the first days of his new job with the speed and precision of a two-minute drill.

It was a whirlwind 48 hours for the Delran native and defensive whiz, who was approved as the new head football coach and special education teacher at Lenape High School on Wednesday.

Since landing the football gig, the 35-year-old Kreider has already met with his new players and started the process of talking to assistant coaches to fill out his staff in preparation for the season, which is just weeks away.

“It’s been crazy, but it’s also been very humbling,” Kreider said. “It’s been very eye-opening so far on what high school coaches are balancing at all times.

“I’m really excited to be a part of something that people love so much. It’s very clear how much school spirit exists here, how much pride exists here and how much people love this place.”

Kreider lives in Hamilton with his wife Michelle and 2-year-old daughter Gabrielle.

More: Pat Ruley named head football coach at Rowan University

Kreider takes over the program after Joe Wojceichowski surprisingly stepped down from his coaching and teaching positions earlier this month. At that time, Lenape athletic director Brian Laddey wanted to have a candidate ready for the school board to vote on by the end of June. That timetable was met.

Lenape is scheduled to open its season on Sept. 6 against school district rival Cherokee. The team went 3-7 last season.

Kreider is the 10th head football coach in school history. The program began in 1959.

Kreider spent the last eight years as the defensive coordinator at Kean University (10 years total with the program). He also spent two years as the DC at Lakeland Regional High School.

After saying goodbye to his former players at Kean, Kreider met his new players on Thursday.

His message contained two values the program wants to preach: "MBK – My Brother’s Keeper (keep looking out for our brothers)" and "LBC (leaders by choice)."

“Every day will have hurdles and adversity. It’s how you respond to those things that will empower these athletes and our team,” Kreider said.

Following his playing days at Delran High, Kreider was a three-year starter and all-NJAC selection as a safety at The College of New Jersey.

Kreider called South Jersey football “gritty and tough,” adding:

“I believe we are guys who just find a way to figure it out,” he said.

Tom McGurk is a regional sports reporter for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 30 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him at (856) 486-2420 or email tmcgurk@gannett.com . Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Matt Kreider lands head football coach job at Lenape