By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
@tortreports on Instagram
In the beginning, Ken Siano never aspired to become an administrator.
He was perfectly content on the sidelines with a headset around his neck directing players on the gridiron in the fall, or on a basketball court drawing plays on a whiteboard in the winter.
So, when he started to pursue his Master’s in School Leadership from Wilmington University in 2021, his goal wasn’t to move into administration anytime in the near future.
“I said, you know what, this is an opportunity for me to take some classes, earn some credits, and maybe make some more money during my teaching career,” Siano explained. “I was locked in — in my mind — for coaching for a very long time. I love football, it’s my passion. I didn’t want to necessarily give that up. I was thinking if I could make $4,000 to $5,000 more with a master’s degree and get a little bump, that would be great.”
However, as he completed the courses, something changed. A spark lit inside Siano and he suddenly had an itch that needed to be scratched.
In his ninth year as a health and physical education teacher at Overbrook High at the time, it was understandably tough for Siano to leave the place where he had built the most meaningful part of his life.
Literally.
The Pine Hill-based school is where he met his wife, Lindsey, who also works in the health and physical education department. The pair coached girls basketball together for five years and married in 2019. They have two children together, Jaxon, 6, and Anthony, 3.
“It’s a great story. It really is awesome. There were some days we were there together for the entire day, and we would go home together,” Siano recalled. “Drive in together, work all day, coach basketball, and then go home together. It was great. That’s probably the biggest thing that I miss. I thought I would miss the coaching and everything like that, but I miss being around the group I had there, my wife, and everyone else that I worked with.”
After weighing his options, Siano started a new chapter of his education career at Sterling at the end of the 2023-24 school year, and so far it’s been a transition he’s thoroughly enjoyed, he said.
“Athletics has been the staple of my life. It’s the most important thing to me,” said Siano, who was a two-time captain and three-time all-conference player at Rowan University. “But then, once I got done (with my master’s) I was thinking, ‘hmm, I want to do this.’ I’m not necessarily into being an administrator in the discipline or curriculum realm. Athletics was the perfect thing for me.”
A 2005 graduate of Woodbridge High in Middlesex County, Siano found his way down to South Jersey when he played football while studying at Rowan University. Upon his graduation in 2011, he enlisted and served for six years part-time in the National Guard while still teaching at Overbrook.
Siano knew Sterling was a special place long before he came two years ago. He recalled his early days of coaching before Overbrook made the switch from the Colonial to the Tri-County Conference and how competitive league games against Sterling were.
“There was a standard here of success in athletics,” he said. “I would come here with my basketball team and we would lose by a significant margin to a very good girls basketball team. Every football game here was a battle.
“Just being in the area, I knew this was a place that prides itself on athletics, so I knew it would be a good fit immediately when I put in for the job.”
The main thing Siano really likes about his position is the variety of tasks each day. Every day offers a unique challenge, unlike being in the same repetitive classroom setting.
“My favorite part about this job is that there’s no typical day. Every day is totally different,” Siano said. “Printing out my vouchers, scheduling buses, scheduling games, making sure everything’s in line from 2:30 p.m. on. I really think that’s when it’s my time to shine. When the school day is over, and athletics start, that’s when my real day starts. In the classroom, it can get a little monotonous over and over again. Teaching the same health lessons, the same physical education lessons, year to year. We’re very proud of our athletics here and what we do, and the experience we provide for the kids.”
In the 24 months since he took the job, Siano has emphasized repping the Sterling Silver Knights’ brand. He remodeled the school’s weight room, helping secure all-new equipment and benches for the student-athletes, most of which bear the Silver Knights’ decal.
Additionally, he takes pride in always being one step ahead.
After a razor-thin 170-166 vote by state athletic directors in May, the shot clock will officially be coming to New Jersey prep basketball starting in the 2027-28 school year.
Siano wasted no time ordering and getting the piece installed — two years ahead of schedule.
For Siano, it’s all about what’s best for the students.
He also hosts a monthly show on Sterling’s award-winning broadcast channel, Sterling TV-19. The segment, titled “Siano on the Sidelines,” features Siano alongside student hosts, often giving sports updates and sometimes having guest coaches join. According to Siano, it’s just another way to connect with the students and community.
“You can ask any of the athletes here: that door is always open,” he said. “My door is always open. I have kids in here all day long stopping in, having little chats. Trying to be visible is huge for me. I want that to be a focus from Day One. I want the kids to have a great experience in athletics.”
And while Siano sometimes rightfully misses the place that gave him his start — to not only his career, but to his family — he’s now right where he belongs: making an immeasurable impact on numerous student-athletes in Somerdale.
As a result?
He never has a bad day.
“Every day is great,” Siano said. “I don’t have a bad day here. Throughout my life I’ve always been in leadership positions. To me, this means everything. I absolutely love it. I just hope that the kids use me as a resource and that they take something away from here that they’ll use for the rest of their life.”
What people from all stages of his journey have to say about Ken Siano:
Jamie Otis, head wrestling and assistant football coach at Overbrook, Siano’s best friend:
“When speaking about Ken Siano as a coach I don’t know many guys who give as much attention to detail and demand kids give their very best every rep, day in and day out. His commitment to making players better is a special talent. When you’re talking about him as a person he’s completely dedicated to his family and friends.”
Frank Wilczynski, head football coach at Overbrook:
“Knowing Ken for the past 18 years, there is a lot I could say about him. What stands out most is his unwavering dedication to students and the genuine relationships he builds with them. As my assistant coach for nine years, I watched him take five individual offensive linemen each season and mold them into a cohesive, unified unit. He truly cares about students and helps them believe they can achieve more than they ever thought possible. It’s no surprise he is finding great success as the athletic director at Sterling High School, given the leadership qualities he brings to everything he does.”
Jay Accorsi, head football coach at Salem Community College, former head coach at Rowan University from 2002-2023:
“Kenny was a great player for us. He came in as a long, lean, and very athletic offensive lineman. He was a great leader for us. The great part about coaching and teaching at the college level is seeing players grow after high school. These young men come in, and you get to see them grow. To see all of these former players out doing phenomenal things — to me, that’s been the payback. To see a young man go off in this type of arena, it’s just really cool for me now as an older person to remember where they began and where they are now. It’s great to see. That’s what I’m most proud of.”
