New Jersey bill would allow honorably discharged veterans to coach high school sports without teaching credentials
TRENTON, N.J. — Honorably discharged military veterans could become high school sports coaches in New Jersey without holding a teaching certificate or substitute teaching credential under legislation that recently advanced through the Assembly Education Committee.
The bill, A1429, sponsored by Assemblyman Erik Simonsen, R-Cape May, would allow public school districts to hire eligible veterans for interscholastic athletic coaching positions regardless of whether they have the educational credentials currently required.
The legislation was partly inspired by Ryan Lewis, an Army veteran and graduate of Lower Cape May Regional High School who played baseball at the school. Lewis served as an infantryman during his military career, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2014, and currently serves full time in the Army National Guard.
Although Lewis has coached his son in youth baseball, he has been unable to coach at the high school level because he lacks the required educational credentials.
“Ryan represents exactly the kind of mentor we should want around our students and athletes,” Simonsen (R-Cape May) said. “These veterans have already demonstrated leadership, discipline, resilience, and commitment through military service. We should not be telling them they are unqualified to coach simply because they chose to serve their country instead of following a traditional college path.”
Under the proposed legislation, veterans would need to have been honorably discharged and completed at least four years of military service to qualify for the exemption from teaching credential requirements. Local boards of education would retain authority over hiring decisions for both full-time and part-time coaching positions.
Simonsen said the measure is intended to recognize the leadership experience and skills veterans develop during military service and provide opportunities for them to continue contributing to their communities.
“Our veterans have already proven their ability to lead under pressure and serve something bigger than themselves,” Simonsen said. “This bill simply gives local school districts the flexibility to recognize that experience and put it to work helping the next generation.”
Lewis said the legislation could provide meaningful opportunities for veterans seeking to continue serving their communities after returning from military duty.
“If this bill is able to go through, it’s going to be monumental not just for myself but other veterans that have come back from active duty or the guard. They look for that purpose, to serve without having to put the uniform on,” Lewis added.
