Todd Decker, who helped forge St. Peter’s Prep into one of the top boys basketball programs in New Jersey and the Northeast, has resigned in order to focus on his family and career, he told SNY.tv by phone Tuesday afternoon.
Decker’s former assistant, Alex Mirabel, was set to meet Wednesday with athletic director Rich Hansen about the job.
In three years as a head coach at the Jersey City school, Decker won two Non-Public A North titles and reached three Hudson County finals. In five years as an assistant to Mike Kelly before that, St. Peter’s Prep won four Hudson County titles.
“The last eight years have been great,” Decker told SNY.tv. “I will always appreciate my time at Saint Peter’s Prep for the great school and tremendous community it is. I am extremely proud of all that has been accomplished here both on and off the court.
“For the last month, I have really struggled with considering the decision to step down. I have discussed it at length with both Coach Hansen and the staff, and come to the conclusion that it is time to go on to a different phase of my life. I need to prioritize my newborn son, family and career, so it’s best I move on. To be a head coach at this level is a 12-month full-time job that I feel like I’m not able to fulfill to the level I have been able to in the past.
“I would like to thank the staff for all their help in what we have accomplished, and look forward to the continued success of the program. We want to keep the program in the family. I also want to express my love and thanks for every player I have coached during my time here. Our success has been all about them.”
Naismith Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley of St. Anthony praised Decker’s accomplishments in a short period of time.
“What Todd has been able to do in a relatively short time, to get to the state finals in back-to-back years and this past year’s accomplishment of getting to the state finals with almost a whole new group of players, he has done a terrific, terrific job at St. Peter’s Prep and I hope to see him on the sideline at another school soon,” Hurley told SNY.tv by phone.
Decker said that as of Tuesday afternoon, Veer Singh, the team’s 6-foot-6 2016 wing, was still enrolled at St. Peter’s Prep, though there have been rumblings that he may leave.
Singh is being recruited by Cincinnati, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Villanova, Virginia, South Florida and Oregon State, among others.
Najja Hunter, a 2016 wing who reclassed to 2017, and his brother, Zaki Hunter, a 2018 point guard, have both left St. Peter’s Prep for Westtown (Pa.).
“Najja Hunter is a great kid and very talented player,” Westtown coach Seth Berger told SNY.tv. “He plays hard on both ends of the floor, is athletic and unselfish. With improvement in his skill levels and increased strength and athleticism, Najja can play at the highest levels.”
He added: “Zaki is as tough and fearless as any player I’ve coached. He is also a super fast learner and very talented. With improvement to his jumper and ball-handling, and having an opportunity to learn the PG position from Jair Bolden, Zaki will be an excellent D1 point guard.”
Kaleb Bishop, a 2016 wing, told SNY.tv he is definitely leaving the school but has yet to pick a new destination.
Nate Pierre-Louis, the team’s 2017 point guard, will transfer to St. Benedict’s Prep.Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter And like ZAGS on Facebook
