Coach Emel's Site - Career/Biography

About Head Coach John R. Emel

John R. Emel is an Educator and current Head Football Coach at West Deptford High School. Coach Emel also currently serves as President of the West Jersey Football Coaches Association, and is a founder of the Battle at the Beach Football Classic started in 2021. The Battle at the Beach Football Classic has donated over $125,000 to various charities including the National Football Foundation South Jersey Chapter and the Touchdown Club of South Jersey.

Coach Emel began his coaching career at Penns Grove High School in 2004 as an Assistant Coach under fellow Salem graduate Kemp Carr. A lifelong resident of Mannington Twp. and a graduate of Salem High School (Class of 2002); Coach Emel was Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator from 2004-2011. His Defenses annually ranked as the best in New Jersey for points allowed, leading New Jersey overall in 2010, surrendering ONLY 26 points total in 9 games.

While at Penns Grove....Historic Firsts...include the 1st playoff win in school history (2006 1st Round - Penns Grove over Schalick 35-34 OT), winning the 1st home playoff game in school history (2008 Semi-Finals Penns Grove over Haddon Heights 14-0), and 1st championship appearance in school history (2008 Group 1 Finals Glassboro over Penns Grove 28-8).

In 2012, Coach Emel moved to Assistant Football Coach at West Deptford High School under the leadership of Head Football Coach Clyde Folsom. Coach Emel mentored the Tight-ends, Linebackers, and Kicker as West Deptford went 12-0 to win the NJ South Group 2 State Championship. In 2013, Coach Emel became the Secondary Coach as West Deptford set a record for least amount of Passing Yards allowed in a season in Program History. West Deptford was 21-1 during Coach Emel's tenure.

In 2014, Coach Emel accepted the Head Football Position at Penns Grove High School. His teams have qualified for the playoffs every year. Despite playing one of the toughest schedules in NJ for a Group 1 school, he compiled a 70-41 record through the 2023 season. He led his team to 3 appearances in the Group 1 Finals (2017, 2018, and 2019) winning the school's 2nd and 3rd championships in 2018 and 2019. His 2018 team became the 1st Team in South Jersey History (2nd in State History behind Ramapo) to Finish 13-0. His teams have been ranked among the top 10 in South Jersey annually and the program established a school record 25 game winning streak during his tenure as Head Football Coach.

In December of 2023 he accepted the Head Football Position at West Deptford High School. In 2024, his first season, the team averaged 32 Points Per Game, and returned to the NJSIAA playoffs were they suffered a 1st round 30-29 defeat on the road. In 2025, the team Improved to 9-2 winning the WJFL Patriot Division Championship with a 6-0 Division Record. In the 1st round of the NJSIAA Playoffs, West Deptford defeated Camden Eastside 30-15 at home, the program's first playoff victory since 2019. Overall Coach Emel's current record is 86-48 and his teams have qualified for the playoffs every year as Head Coach.

He has had several players accept full scholarships to play college football. Notable players include Kimere Brown '16 at Temple, Tyreke Brown '19 at Sacred Heart, Makhi Scott 20' Wagner, Nasir Robinson 21' Pace, Zion Cheeks 22' Maine, and Janier Armstead 23' Sacred Heart.

CAREER RECORD

Through the 2026 Season

Overall High School (23 Years) - 163-79 (2004-2026)

Overall Playoff Record - 20-16

Head Coach Record (13th Season) - 88-48 (Penns Grove 2014 - 2023) West Deptford (2024 - Present)

Assistant Coach Record (10 Years) - 75-31

21-1 (West Deptford 2012 - 2013)

54-30 (Penns Grove 2004 - 2011)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1st Coach in South Jersey History (2nd in State History after Drew Gibbs - Ramapo) to Achieve Perfect 13-0 Season - 2018

2012, 2018, 2019 New Jersey South State Champions

2008, 2017 - New Jersey Sectional Finalist