Timmy Breaker enjoyed success as a player on Glassboro High School's football team, helping post back-to-back undefeated seasons before graduating in 2009. And now he's enjoying success there again as its head coach.
Which not that long ago is a job he didn't see himself doing. However, there were others who did.
After earning a scholarship to the University of Delaware, where he started at safety his final two years, Breaker continued his gridiron career playing in Germany for two seasons in the European Football League and one season in the French Elite League. That was followed by two seasons playing in the Indoor Football League.
And aside from helping coach in Glassboro's youth football program part-time during his offseasons back home in South Jersey, Breaker's focus was being on the field wearing a helmet and not on the sideline holding a play sheet.
"I actually didn't think I ever wanted to be a coach. But there were so many people when I was still playing saying, 'You would make a hell of a coach.' And I'd always just say I can't coach because I was thinking of playing," Breaker said.
"And then I coached that first full-time year at (Camden) Catholic (in 2021). After that, I knew exactly what I was born to do, and that was coaching. I came over as an assistant at Glassboro (the following year). I always wanted to come back and coach for my alma mater. The coach, Tim Hagerty, had encouraged me to coach years before that. And then when I was ready to, they welcomed me back home with open arms. It was the best feeling.
"I didn't want to coach at all, and then the way it turned out is incredible. Did I ever think I would be the head coach at Glassboro? Absolutely not."
Fortunately for Glassboro, he was wrong.
After Breaker became the head coach in 2023, he guided the Bulldogs to a 9-4 record and the state championship game, where they fell to Mountain Lakes High School.
That's the last time Glassboro has lost a game.
Last year, they posted a 13-0 record and captured the school's first state championship. This season, Glassboro beat Schalick High School 35-7 on Friday to go to 8-0.
Once they became the NJSIAA Group 1 Champions in 2024, Breaker's squad didn't become complacent; they became even more motivated.
"I don't even think we sat down and watched the game. We just moved on. The kids here are different. I think it was three days after the state championship game, and they wanted to get back into the weight room," he said.
"For them, it's always the next step. They don't really wait on it. They love the competition. I love the competition. They love being better every day. And that's kind of what we focus on as a whole unit. From the coaching staff to the kids, we focus on just being better every day.
"I think it means a bunch to put on a Glassboro jersey. My first year, we ended the season with 28 kids in the state championship. And from what was built from then until now, we have 62 kids on the team. It's varsity and JV, but everyone dresses on game night. Hopefully, by letting them dress up varsity, they want to be like the guys that they're watching.
"It's been a very big and special thing to see as a coach and to watch it grow into what it is now. And I think more and more down the road, it'll grow as well."
Over the last three years, Glassboro has been able to watch one of their own step up and help the football program reach heights it has never experienced. But what makes Breaker most gratified by what the team is accomplishing reaches beyond their win-loss record.
"The proudest part right now is that the consistent GPA of our team is a 3.9. The kids do great in the classroom. That's the No. 1 thing," he said. "And then No. 2 is just watching the community be happy at what we produce out there on the field.
"My first year here, there weren't a lot of people who came out to the games. But these last two years, watching the community buy into Glassboro football kind of like when I was in high school, is probably the second best.
"I know for sure that this is where I'm supposed to be. Being able to be in a community I grew up in since I was born, graduated high school from, winning championships at, and now coaching and winning championships. Man, that's a blessing."
Attributing his remarkable 30-4 career record at Glassboro to his staff and players, Breaker describes his coaching style as energetic and aggressive.
"But at the same time, loving, caring, and the best role model or father figure I possibly can be. I strive every day to be the best man I could possibly be," he said. "Coaching is special, and I love it. I wake up every day and I enjoy it. My kids, they don't mind being coached. And I don't mind being critiqued as a coach. I love everything that comes with coaching.
"We've had a lot of college coaches come in (recruiting), and I'll pick their brains on what makes them successful and what makes their programs successful. Because you can be a great team, but not a great program. And what we're building here at Glassboro is, we're building a great program."
Which is a great reason why the program's architect has been chosen as the Philadelphia Eagles High School Coach of the Week.
"Coach gets called on to be a leader in this community, and he always answers the bell," Glassboro Athletic Director Christian Lynch said. "Of course, he is a leader in our athletic department, not just for his team. He leads the strength and conditioning program for the school. He is a source of guidance for virtually every student. He is one of the staunchest enforcers of high character for everyone in the building."
"I think that's pretty cool to be recognized for not only myself, but my staff. I can't do anything without my staff, No. 1. They help me out a lot," Breaker said. "But also having great kids. To be a great coach, you have to have great kids.
"And just the recognition alone by the Philadelphia Eagles is special. My mom was super happy. I was super happy. And the school, they were ecstatic. They said it over the loudspeaker! This is big not only for myself, but for Glassboro."
