After 34 years of teaching and coaching, Mr. Brothers has decided to hang up the cleats and retire. He announced his decision at the Board of Education meeting on October 16th. He’s had a lengthy career here at BHS, where he has been teaching since 1996. Before teaching at BHS, he had stints at Columbia High School, Hillsborough High School, and Elizabeth High School. At BHS he has been teaching Physical Education which includes the Life Skills program.
Mr. Brothers has made a very significant impact on the individuals that he’s both taught and coached. Mr. Spautz, a fellow P.E. teacher at BHS, says “teaching with Mr. Brothers has taught me to make sure I continue to enjoy doing what I do and to take a step back and embrace the chaos.” Mr. Spautz also believes that what makes Mr. Brothers special is “his love for life” and “the relationships he’s developed with all of his students over the years. [This] is something I strive to replicate.”
Over his time here at BHS, Mr. Brothers has coached the varsity lacrosse team, the wrestling team, JV girls tennis, and freshman football. In his last year, the varsity lacrosse team went 21-3 and eventually won the state championship. But that season was made even more special for Mr. Brothers because his son, David Brothers, was a senior on that championship winning squad. Mr. Brothers exclaimed, “Having a kid on that team made it even more special. To be with him and his best buddies for the past 9 years was the greatest gift imaginable.”
Alex Vaccaro ‘25 was on that championship winning lacrosse team as a junior and said, “Coach would constantly point out how special it was that this great group of guys stayed together rather than going to private schools nearby, and it made things all the more special when we found success together.” This is a motto that Coach Brothers holds dear to his heart: “Stay public, keep our talent home!” He says, “[the kids] wore it on the back of our [their] jerseys when they were young in the summer tournaments that we attended. We preached it, we practiced it, [and] we kept our talent home!”
According to Mr. Brothers, he is a “simple man who is confident with what [he has] and honestly [doesn’t] need much. [His] wife Dana and 3 kids are everything to [him].” His colleagues say the thing that makes Mr. Brothers unique is his love for life. Mr. Spautz says, “When you see him roll down to school in his infamous scooter you can’t help but think that guy is living his best life.”
Mr. Brothers leaves a legacy behind him that is unmatched. Mr. Spautz says, “ he is so important to the future of Bernards High because of how he was able to accomplish his achievements.” He also references the “Stay Home” motto that “helps him build very successful programs.”
After 34 years of teaching and coaching, Mr. Brothers has made his decision to retire. He said “It just felt right.” Mr. Spautz says “I’m very fortunate to have spent time with Mr Brothers and I wish him the best in his next chapter.” From everyone here at BHS, we thank Mr. Brothers for what he has done for BHS and wish him the best on his future.
