The next generation of McCourt is officially here, and another generation is in the works.
Kyle McCourt, 33, the son of veteran Cresskill basketball coach Mike McCourt, was approved by the district school board Monday night as Glen Rock's new head football coach. Kyle has been an assistant in his Panthers football program since 2016.
“I kind of grew up on the other side of the Glen Rock divide,” Kyle said. “But my mom is from Glen Rock. My dad thought it was ironic because there was a rivalry and history between the two schools, but he was very happy for me. Glenrock is a wonderful place with great people and a place of tradition and pride.
Kyle was a standout athlete at West Milford High School before playing at William Paterson University. He earned a degree in physical education and health and is currently a teacher at Glen Rock and the head women's lacrosse coach. He and his wife, Morgan, are expecting their first child in a few weeks.
Glen Rock has been a perennial small football powerhouse in North Jersey for decades, first during the Al Diette and then Jim Kurz eras. The Panthers won six sectional titles from 1996 to 2002. Kyle said he is focused on keeping the program moving in the right direction.
“The key is continuity. Coach Kurz has done a great job and I know I have a big responsibility,” Kyle said. “We want to win, obviously that's the main goal, but we want to make sure they want to win on and off the field, because success isn't just about winning on the field,” Glenn said.・Because I believe in rock.
Kyle spent most of his time working on the defensive side of the ball with the Panthers. Most of Kurz's staff remains there. Kyle said he would like his father to be involved as well, but Mike has already committed to join Pascack Valley as an assistant.
When asked about his father's coaching style, Kyle said with a laugh, “He's pretty intense.” “I'd like to think I'm passionate in a different way. I grew up around the sport and I was very lucky to be born into a football family. I mean, we talked about it in the kitchen and we literally talked about the sport of football. I have admired him for years.”
Glen Rock has long prided itself on its cutting-edge offensive approach, using multi-sport athletes in a variety of positions. Kyle is just trying to build on that. The Panthers went 5-5 in 2023 and bring back a strong group of returnees, including quarterback Nick Atome.
Kyle wanted to meet with the football team soon to discuss offseason plans.
“The good news is I'm already in the building and they can understand what's expected going forward,” he said. “We’ve been great in every spring sport, but once spring ends, football really starts.”
