Mike Kiley steps down as Brick Memorial wrestling coach

The most storied high school wrestling program in the Shore Conference will be searching for a new head coach after Mike Kiley resigned from his post on Wednesday after nine seasons leading his alma mater.

Kiley posted the news on Facebook and confirmed when contacted by Shore Sports Insider. “It’s time,” he said

“THANK YOU for the memories Brick Memorial Wrestling!!” Kiley wrote. “This program has and always will be a HUGE part of my life, but it’s time to hang up the whistle. Thank you to EVERYONE who has supported me and had faith in me leading their children. I have much love for you all and will always be here if you need anything. TEAM FIRST. TEAM LAST. TEAM ALWAYS.”

Kiley took the reins of the program in 2017 and guided the Mustangs into the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional final. Brick Memorial went 19-3 in 2018 and reached another sectional final. The program also welcomed Vincent Santaniello, who finished eighth in the state to begin a career that saw him earn four state medals and win a state title as a senior. The Mustangs broke through under Kiley during the 2019-2020 season when they won the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional championship and captured the District 27 team title.

During the Covid-altered season of 2020-2021, Brick Memorial experienced unprecedented individual success among Shore Conference teams when seniors Vincent Santaniello (126) and David Szuba (Hwt), junior Evan Tallmdge (113), and sophomore Anthony Santaniello (126) won state championships. That season began a run that saw the Mustangs win sectional titles in 2022, 2024, and 2025 and win district team titles in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. In 2022, Tallmadge repeated as state champion and freshman Harvey Ludington began his incredible career by going 35-1 and winning the 175-pound state championship.

Anthony Santaniello shook off a state finals loss as a junior to win his second state title as a senior in 2023 and cap a career in which he was a four-time state finalist, while Ludington finished second to Delbarton’s Simon Ruiz. Ludington won his second state title in 2024 and then became the first wrestler in program history to win three state titles when he captured the 190-pound championship this past March.

Kiley went 131-41 in nine seasons, winning four NJSIAA sectional titles and five NJSIAA district team titles while coaching four different wrestlers to a total of nine individual state championships. The Mustangs had a total of 21 state medalists, 18 region champions, and 45 district champions during his tenure.

Kiley wrestled for Brick Memorial from 2006 through 2009 where he was a two-time Region 6 medalist and helped the Mustangs win two NJSIAA Group 4 championships and three District 23 titles. He wrestled collegiately at The College of New Jersey. Brick Memorial will now look to hire its sixth coach in program history following Tony Caravella (1980-2003), Dean Albanese (2004-2006), Dan O’Cone (2007-2013), Mike Denver (2014-2016), and Kiley (2017-2025).