Denuto out as Camden Catholic wrestling coach

At 9:10 a.m. on Saturday morning, Camden Catholic High School announced the resignation of its wrestling coach John Denuto.

“Denuto is stepping down for personal reasons,” the release via email read. “Camden Catholic will begin the search for a new coach immediately.”

A LOOK BACK: Denuto hired

Denuto could not be reached for comment Saturday.

The storied program joins the likes of Sayreville, Pennsville, St. John-Vianney and Spotswood in programs where the coach has made stops.

He took the Irish to the Non-Public Group A playoffs and into the second round before a 42-point loss to Christian Brothers Academy.

The defeat showed the only issues on the mat Camden Catholic dealt with this year – the team lacked depth.

But up top, Denuto sent four grapplers to the state individual tournaments. Two won Region 7 titles – senior Mark McCormick and freshman Lucas Revano - and both placed in Atlantic City.

IRISH IMPRESS: In Region 7 

Anthony Croce (freshman) and Jarret Ziegler (senior) also qualified.

Many in South Jersey wrestling circles wondered if he'd last at the former powerhouse. Last June, Denuto sounded like a man who’d found a home.

“This, to me, is the perfect culmination of a career," he told the Courier-Post then. “This, to me, is a destination job. I'm looking to retire from here 20-something years down the road.”

Instead, he resigned after one.

Mark Trible; (856) 486-2424; mtrible@gannettnj.com