Kyle Klein takes over storied Delsea football team

>Kyle Klein said working at a smaller school has provided the groundwork for an even bigger challenge.

>Klein was approved as the new boss of the storied Delsea Regional High School football program by the school board on Wednesday night. He will also teach health and physical education at the school.

>“It’s an honor to take over such a historic program at Delsea, so many legendary coaches and great accomplishments by so many of their teams, I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity,” Klein said.

>Delsea athletic director Ken Schoudt said in a text, “We’re excited to welcome Coach Klein to our Crusader family. From the very first time we sat down with Kyle, it was clear that he possesses the experience, attitude, and energy needed to lead this program. Throughout the process, Kyle and I spoke often, and it became obvious that we share a strong passion for building a strong culture in athletics.

>“He’s not only a tremendous addition to our coaching staff, but to our entire school community. We’re excited to hit the ground running and can’t wait to see the impact he’ll have on our student-athletes and program.”

>Klein said he’s excited to get started and said Delsea football fans are “getting a guy who’s all in, all the time.”

>“I don’t have any hobbies, I’ve got my kids and wife and then I have football,” Klein said. “(The program) is getting a coach who is a true student of the game and wants to be a strong mentor in developing these kids into strong football players and strong young adults.”

>Klein said Delsea’ physical brand of football won’t change, but the Crusaders’ offense will have a more “modern look” and will “work out of the shotgun” formation.

>After the Crusaders had two head coaches in the program’s first 64 years of existence, Klein becomes the second in just the last three seasons.

>Klein takes over for Jason Volpe, who the school parted ways with in late April after two seasons. Volpe was 8-13 at Delsea, including a 2-2 record in the postseason, with the Crusaders. The team went 4-6 last fall.

>Klein believes his experiences at Buena have prepared him for this job.

>“You take over a small Group 1 program, you learn how to do everything,” he said. “I don’t know if I could have been with a program that prepared me for this challenge more than Buena. I’m extremely proud of what we were able to do there, especially building the number of players in the program up. I learned how to grow a culture and how to lead a coaching staff.”

>Klein, a 2012 Atlantic City High School grad, led the Buena program for the last two seasons. The Chiefs went 7-12 over the stretch, including last year’s 3-5 mark.

>Klein was hired as the Pleasantville head coach in February 2020, but resigned six months later before ever coaching a game. He was an assistant coach with Cedar Creek during the Pirates’ sectional title run in 2019 and offensive coordinator at Oakcrest in 2021-22.

>Tom McGurk is a regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 35 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him by email at tmcgurk@usatodayco.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.

>This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Kyle Klein has been named the new head coach for Delsea football