Phil Colicchio has reached a significant milestone in his coaching career, achieving his 600th win on March 16, 2024. Coaching the Elizabeth High School boys basketball team, Colicchio led his squad to a 66-50 victory over Chester, Pennsylvania, during the Battle by the Bay tournament held in Atlantic City. This achievement places him among an elite group of only 26 boys coaches in New Jersey history to reach this landmark.
Colicchio’s coaching prowess is well-established. He has accumulated eight state championships, six with Linden High School and two with Elizabeth, where he currently serves as head coach. His remarkable track record has earned him a reputation as New Jersey’s most successful public school coach.
The victory against Chester followed another notable achievement within the state, as Art Cattano, the veteran coach of New Providence, reached his own 600th win just days earlier, on March 12, 2024. This highlights a remarkable week for Union County coaches, with Colicchio being only the second to achieve this milestone.
Colicchio, a graduate of Elizabeth High School from the class of 1984, has been coaching at his alma mater for eight seasons, marking his 30th year overall in the role. Throughout his career, he has averaged over 20 victories per season, demonstrating his ability to adapt and succeed despite varying team dynamics. While his teams often faced challenges, such as young or undersized players, Colicchio’s focus on discipline and defensive strategy has allowed them to secure unexpected wins.
When blessed with scoring talent, his teams have flourished, clinching state championships. His first Group 4 title came in the 1999-2000 season at Linden, where players like Jamaal Tate and Dan Delvalle led the Tigers to victory against Bridgewater-Raritan. Over the following 17 years, Linden captured five more championships before Colicchio transitioned to Elizabeth in December 2018. He has since guided the Minutemen to Group 4 titles in both 2022 and 2024, with the latest team achieving a record of 23-5.
Colicchio’s 600th win, while significant, is just one of many highlights in his career. His 500th victory came on March 12, 2020, during the Group 4 semifinals against Paterson Kennedy, a game marked by the eerie silence of an empty arena just before the COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread school closures. His 400th win occurred on March 3, 2016, when Linden faced Asbury Park in the Group 4 final, a match that propelled the Tigers to the Tournament of Champions finals.
As Colicchio continues to build on his impressive legacy, his influence on New Jersey basketball remains undeniable. His commitment to developing young talent and fostering a competitive spirit ensures his teams will remain formidable contenders in the years to come.
