Ten years ago, Karl Towns stepped away from coaching high school basketball at Piscataway Vo-Tech to focus on supporting his son’s journey to hardwood stardom.
Now that Karl-Anthony Towns is an established NBA all-star with the Minnesota Timberwolves, “Big Karl” is returning to the high school hoops coaching ranks. And he’s doing it at a familiar place – his son’s alma mater.
Towns has been hired as the head coach at Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen. He’ll take the reins of a program rich in tradition and championships, including the 2014 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions title led by Karl-Anthony.
“I am very excited to be back home at Saint Joe’s,” Karl Towns said in a statement. “This is a very coveted job for me because of the memories I have of watching Karl and the 2013-2014 Falcons establish themselves as one of the best basketball teams in New Jersey history.”
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.”
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.