Arrivederci, Alesi.
Long-time Xaverian boys basketball coach Jack Alesi announced he will be stepping away from the program after a 21-year career that has seen dramatic comebacks, standout athletes, and city championships. Alesi’s phone has been ringing off the hook ever since he made his decision public, and the 64-year-old appreciates the interest, but he’s also not convinced it warrants a headline.
“To me, a high-school coach retiring is a non-story, but I understand when you coach that long, it may be perceived as important to others,” Alesi said. “I’m happy with the time that I’ve had, and I’m looking forward to the time that I’ll have not being a coach also.”
Alesi’s resume, however, proves he’s not the average high-school coach.
The coach, who will remain at Xaverian as the school’s finance director, packed the last two decades with more success than some find in a lifetime. Alesi took over the varsity job in the 1994–95 season and finishes with a 345–250 overall record. He led the Clippers to three diocesan titles, two Catholic High School Athletic Association city championships (including one last season), and was named to the league’s Hall of Fame.
He’s also the first to remind everyone that it was his players, not him, who won those games. Alesi built his career by putting his players first and, even now, he’s doing the same.
“It was because of all the great kids that have gone through Xaverian that I’ve stayed so long,” Alesi said. “It wasn’t for the drive to be a good team, it wasn’t about the competitiveness to be a coach. It was always about these kids. If it were about just the kids you would coach forever, but at some point you have to say that there is an end to everything. I thought, at this stage, it was the right time.”
Alesi had been toying with the prospect of retirement for several years and even considered stepping away from the Clippers after the 2014–15 season, but a trio of returning seniors forced him back into the gym for one final year.
The Clippers clinched the Class AA intersectional championship with a 59–56 victory over Bishop Loughlin at Fordham University and Alesi knew then that it was time to walk away. He couldn’t have written a more perfect finish.
“That obviously was something that was not planned and that was never any part of my process of coaching,” Alesi said of the title run. “I don’t think any coach coaches just to win, not in high school any way. But to win a championship, it’s something that’s a bit of a storybook ending, and I’m very blessed to have that happen.”
Alesi is grateful for all the support he’s received over the years — both from the Xaverian community and his own staff. That staff also includes his son Chris who has served as a varsity assistant for the last five years.
“I can say, as a coach, other than players, my proudest memories and my proudest accomplishment is coaching with my son,” Alesi said. “He’s just a great kid. He’s loyal beyond being a son, and his impact on the program and the players is immeasurable.”
Alesi may be walking away from his position on the sidelines, but he is adamant that he isn’t walking away from Xaverian. He’ll be there when the season starts again in November. He’ll just be in a different seat.
“I think every coach that retires still considers himself a coach,” Alesi said. “It doesn’t really change my life much at all. Come basketball season, I’ll just be in the stands. I’m still part of Xaverian.”
