Phil Colicchio reached a significant milestone in his coaching career by 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, at the Battle by the Bay tournament in Atlantic City. This victory places him among an elite group, making him the 26th boys’ coach in New Jersey history to surpass 600 career wins.
Colicchio, who already holds the title of New Jersey’s most successful public school coach with a remarkable eight state championships—six with Linden High School and two with Elizabeth—continues to build on his legacy. His achievement comes just days after another milestone in Union County, where veteran coach Art Cattano of New Providence also celebrated his 600th victory during a win against Rahway on March 12, 2024.
This marks Colicchio’s eighth season at Elizabeth, his alma mater, and the 30th season overall. With an average of over 20 wins per season, he has demonstrated remarkable consistency and success throughout his career. Colicchio’s coaching style is characterized by a strong emphasis on defensive discipline, often allowing his teams to overcome challenges posed by young or undersized rosters.
Under his leadership, both Linden and Elizabeth have developed a reputation for creating surprising victories, often through tenacious defensive efforts. When blessed with offensive talent, Colicchio’s teams have not only excelled but have also claimed state championships. His first significant achievement came in the 1999-00 season, leading Linden to a Group 4 championship, thanks to standout players Jamaal Tate and Dan Delvalle. Over the next 17 years, Linden secured five additional championships before Colicchio transitioned to Elizabeth in December 2018.
In his current role, Colicchio guided the Minutemen to Group 4 titles in 2022 and 2024. The latest championship-winning team, which finished the season at 23-5, was bolstered by talented players such as senior London Carson, juniors Cameron McRae and Jordan Torres, and freshman guard Jayden Johnson, who has emerged as a key contributor in the current season with a record of 13-8.
While the milestone of 600 wins is noteworthy, Colicchio’s previous milestones, including his 500th and 400th victories, were marked by more drama. His 500th win occurred on March 12, 2020, in the Group 4 semifinals against Paterson Kennedy at the Dunn Center in Elizabeth. This victory was particularly poignant, as it came just days before schools and businesses were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Colicchio’s 400th win was achieved on March 3, 2016, when he led Linden to a Group 4 final victory against Asbury Park in Toms River. The team went on to compete in the Tournament of Champions, ultimately reaching the final against the formidable St. Anthony, where they faced a defeat.
As Phil Colicchio continues to build his impressive coaching legacy, his recent achievement stands as a testament to his dedication and impact on New Jersey high school basketball.
