WATCH: Cardinal Newman boys hoops celebrates first district title since 2016
The Crusaders won, 74-60, to advance to 22-5 on the season and punch their ticket to 3A state playoffs.
WEST PALM BEACH — The athletic director turnover continues at Cardinal Newman.
The West Palm Beach Catholic high school took to its website on Wednesday evening to announce that it will be conducting a “nationwide search” to fill the position made by the departure of AD and boys basketball coach Reilly Campbell.
After two years in South Florida, Campbell has resigned to take a position at a private school in Georgia, where he previously served as AD for Atlanta International School and Duluth’s Notre Dame Academy.
Although his time was short, Campbell told The Post on Thursday that he’s “really grateful” for the opportunities he was given. The impact he left on Newman’s athletic department will certainly be remembered in the trophy cases.
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Rewind to winter: Cardinal Newman boys basketball earns first district championship since 2016
“I’m most proud of the experiences we’ve provided for the Newman student-athletes, growing student-athlete participation to over 70% of the entire school population. We added five new sports, won seven district titles and a relay team state title,” Campbell said.
“Newman is set up for continued success in athletics with the great coaches they have, and especially under the leadership of the interim AD Ryan Partridge. He will do a phenomenal job.”
Partridge joined Newman’s staff ahead of last fall to serve as an assistant athletic director and the football team’s offensive coordinator.
Newman interim President John Clarke “expressed his gratitude” in the Wednesday press release, stating: “We deeply appreciate Reilly Campbell’s dedication and hard work during his time at Cardinal Newman. His commitment to our athletic programs and our students has been invaluable. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
New coach to take the court after winter to remember for Crusaders
The “hardest part” of Campbell’s decision was leaving his basketball players.
“This program is filled with great kids, who are winners on and off the court,” he said. “Winning the district title this past year and leading the program to the Sweet 16 was the highlight of my coaching career!”
Newman football assistant coach Dan Goode has been appointed interim boys basketball coach, Campbell said.
After going 10-15 in 2023, the Crusaders finished the season 23-6, nabbing their first district title since 2016 and posting the program’s best finish since the 2015 roster that featured John Collins, now a power forward for the NBA’s Utah Jazz.
“I love these guys and will always be in their corner,” Campbell said, adding that he’s “excited” to see what Goode does with the team and that he’ll be rooting for the Crusaders from afar.
Emilee Smarr is a sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.