Boys basketball: Karl Towns returns to coaching at St. Joseph-Metuchen

The elder Towns starred as a player at Piscataway High School and later Monmouth College (now Monmouth University), where he still holds the records for rebounds in a season (319) and a game (23). As a coach he guided Piscataway Vo-Tech for 15 seasons; his Raiders captured four Greater Middlesex Conference Gold Division crowns and won the NJSIAA Central Group 1 title in 2003. His teams played an up-tempo brand of ball, running and pressing.

“Karl’s ability to get the most out of every player is obvious to everyone that has ever watched him coach,” Saint Joseph High School President John G. Nolan, Jr. said. “However, his focus on building well-rounded student-athletes is even more important. We can’t wait to watch Karl bring Saint Joe’s basketball back to glory.”

In recent years Towns has served as a volunteer assistant coach at Kean University (in 2023-24) and Middlesex County College (2017-18). Both times he worked under Dave Turco, who was the Falcons’ head man during Karl-Anthony’s time at Saint Joseph.

Suffice it to say, this hire is a full-circle moment for all involved.

“The Towns family name has become synonymous with Saint Joseph basketball for over a decade,” aint Joseph Director of Athletics Bill Tracy said. “So to have Karl lead the Falcons as head coach will be very special for our school community to watch.”