Hun football coach John Law speaks to players during a practice on Sept. 17, 2013. (Staff photo by Samantha Sciarrotta.)
Former Rutgers University football player John Law is the Hun School’s new head coach
It has been 23 years and Bill Quirk still can’t get rid of John Law.
Not that he ever wanted to, but the Hun School Athletic Director thought he would only have the Yardville resident for about a week.
It turns out when Quirk and then head-football coach Bill Long were badgering Law to come help out their team; he finally conceded in 1991.
“Its’ a story that stands tall at Hun,” Law says proudly. “I bought and operated a business in downtown Princeton many moons ago (Princeton Fitness Center). Bill Quirk and Bill Long knew that I had been a player for Rutgers, and they came over and asked if I could help the kids and if I wanted to coach for them.
“I told them I just bought a business, and it would be very difficult for me to focus. I told them I would love to do it, I just didn’t think I could. They were a little persistent with me. Finally I said ‘I’ll give you seven days in camp, and teach the kids what I know. But I can only give you seven days.’ Now, it’s going on 23 years.”
Quirk remembers it like it was just seven days ago.
“In our talks about football, John mentioned the magic word ‘volunteer,’” the long-time AD said. “Although he said he could only give a week, John became family here at Hun. He understands that academics come first and that athletics are just part of the process in educating the students. We are so lucky to have a person with his commitment to the kids and the program.”
And when the Raiders needed a new head coach this year, it was a no-brainer. Law has replaced Dave Dudeck, who has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of recent allegations regarding his conduct as Princeton Police Chief.
“Coach Law is well respected and liked in our community,” Quirk said. “We are confident he will manage the transition seamlessly.”
Law takes over a program that he helped make one of the best among state preps, with numerous players moving on to Division I schools.
Because he owns and operates his own business—Law Enterprises in Trenton—the South Jersey native is able to work football around his own schedule. He did the same thing as the Raiders defensive coordinator, a position in which he became renowned for his attacking, pressure defenses.
That won’t change.
“The big thing that we’re gonna do is keep everything the same,” Law said. “I’m going to stay on the defensive side, I’ll deal with both lines and remain the d-coordinator. I’m really excited. The staff we have has been there for years. Coach Pat Jones has been with us for a long time, he’ll be calling the offense. I’ll be calling the defense. “
There are a few other things Law must deal with as well.
“There’s a little more administrative stuff to the job,” he said. “I guess it will be a gradual change as I get more and more experience as a head coach.
“Right now our goal is to keep everything the same. The kids understand and everything will be the same, that’s been a goal of mine to help move the team forward.”
Law was a four-year letter-winner at Holy Cross High School in Delran and a member of the school’s Hall of Fame. He went on to play for Rutgers from 1976-79, and was a center for the undefeated (11-0) team in 1976, which is still considered one of the best in school history.
It was after that, that his late father, John Law Sr., gave John Jr. advice that he has spent a lifetime following.
“When I got my scholarship at Rutgers, I talked to my dad, and I said, ‘This is a great thing, they’re going to pay me to go to Rutgers and get an education and play the game I love,’” Law said. “He said, ‘John, some day you’ve gotta give back.’
“So when I started this ‘hobby’ 23 years ago, my goal was just to really kind of give back to the kids that play the game that was so good to me. I’m a business owner, and wherever my career path took me was fine, but a goal of mine was to be involved in coaching and teaching kids the greatest game there is.”
John Law, Sr. did not give his son hollow advice. He, too, owned a business and coached.
And while John Jr. thought he would be a businessman first, it only took him that first week to get hooked on coaching as well.
“Once I stepped on the Hun campus, I loved the field, I loved the school, and I loved their attitude toward football,” Law said. “Bill Long was a phenomenal coach to break in under, and I learned so much from the coaches there.”
He also had a strong role model in Rutgers coach Frank Burns, who is considered one of the school’s best, along with Greg Schiano.
“Coach Burns was an absolute tremendous coach and major influence on my life,” Law said. “My Rutgers experience really helped mold me into where I’ve ended up today. I’ve always had a love and passion of football for some reason. It’s something that never went away for me, and I’m just so fortunate that my business allows me to do this.”
As a former center, Law began by coaching both the offensive and defensive line under Long. He was elevated to defensive coordinator eight years ago and is now running the whole show.
He can’t remember when he moved to Yardville with his wife and college sweetheart Denise, but estimates it was some 25 to 30 years ago. The couple raised three children in Hamilton Township: Bridget, Kelly and John III, who played for his dad at Hun before going on to Catholic University and playing two years.
“He was born the day I started coaching,” Law said. “The biggest thrill I ever had was a chance to coach him for four years at Hun, because I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be around that long.”
This year, Law is coaching just one player from the township, but that player is a key one: senior captain and safety/receiver Cameron Dudeck (Dave’s son).
“Cameron is one of three brothers. He was the third brother, and the other two were mentors to him,” Law said. “He learned from his brothers and looked up to them and wanted to be like them. He’s paved his own way.
“We’re excited. His brothers are at Navy and Boston College, they’re great role models to look up to. He’s also committed to Navy. He’s an awesome kid, and we’re expecting big things out of him.”
As a long-time resident of Hamilton, Law has gotten to watch it grow from a pretty bad football town to one of the best in Mercer County. When he first moved in, his first thought was, “My goodness, they can play baseball here.”
Football was another story, but that has all changed with Steinert and Nottingham going to the state finals the past two years, and Nottingham winning it all last year.
“When I first got here, I’m a new resident, I went over to Steinert to watch Coach G (Rich Giallella) coach baseball, and I couldn’t believe the level they were playing,” Law said. “On the other hand, when I started to experience some of the football games, I felt Mercer County was a little behind from what I was used to in Burlington County.
“But I have seen a drastic change. Being with a prep school, I don’t run into these guys that often. But these coaches are awesome, and they’re raising the level of the programs, and it’s been fun to watch. I’ve been part of the Sunshine Classic for years, and just to see where it’s going, it’s something we always wanted in this county, and the level is certainly a lot higher now.”
As for his own team, Law said despite a new head coach, there are high expectations, just like every other year.
The big question is, how much longer will this seven-day hobby last?
“You know that’s a good question,” he said. “My heart and my mind are in the same place as they were 23 years ago. That’s what drives me and it’s the kids that fuel my fire. My body doesn’t move like it used too, but my mind and my heart are absolutely still there.
“I don’t know how long this will go, I said seven days, and it’s been 23 years. I sat with my wife and said, ‘How long do you think this will keep going?’ We figured as long as God keeps an eye on me and keeps me going, I’m good to go. I always have a new batch of kids that want to do this. I promised them if they want to do it and have a passion for it I’ll ride that ride for them.”
It’s been a ride that started as a sprint, but has turned into a delightful marathon.
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