Football Coach Leaves Butler for West Orange

Butler High School football head coach Jim Matsakis will be leaving Butler and Morris County to coach the West Orange High School football team.

"We're going to look for a new coach," Butler High School Athletic Director Dave Doty said Friday, explaining that the district would likely advertise for the position.

Over the objections of almost 200 supporters in attendance of a West Orange Board of Education meeting Tuesday, the board approved the hiring of Matsakis to replace longtime coach John Jacob. Community members, students and former players pleaded with the board to let Jacob retain his job after 10 seasons.

Matsakis has served as Butler's coach for the past several years, leading the team through many successful seasons. Doty also praised his work.

"He had a great record," Doty said. "The team did very well. They've been in the  playoffs, I think, every year for the past three years."

Included in that was a tied conference game against Mountain Lakes in 2011.

In 10 seasons Jacob’s sported a 51-49 record, finishing 5–5 last season.