Coach Gerry Tabbachino is a Shore Conference legend and one of the architects of Southern Regional’s high school wrestling dynasty. In this powerful episode of Airey Bros Radio, we go belly to belly with Coach Tabby to talk about his 38-year coaching journey, the rise of Southern wrestling, and the values that shaped generations of NJ wrestlers.

From North Bergen roots to Shore Conference dominance, Coach Tabbachino reflects on community, coaching transitions, rivalries, Frank Molinaro’s Olympic run, and why Southern is the modern-day Paulsboro.

📍 Whether you're a wrestling junkie, a Shore Conference alum, or just love NJ high school sports, this is an all-time episode you don’t want to miss.

🗒️ Show Notes (SEO & Key Topics):

• 0:00 – Intro & podcast mission to spotlight non-D1 programs
  
  
• 1:00 – Legacy of Coach Gerry Tabbachino & Southern Regional Wrestling
  
  
• 3:00 – Shore Conference coaching lineage: Nucci, Roy, Naughty, Barowski, Okone
  
  
• 5:00 – North Bergen roots & early memories
  
  
• 6:30 – Joey Diaz & the Tabbachino family coaching legacy
  
  
• 8:00 – Coaching philosophy shaped by brothers and mentors
  
  
• 12:00 – Transition to Southern Regional & culture shock
  
  
• 17:00 – Surfing and hunting season vs wrestling practice
  
  
• 20:00 – Turning Southern into a top-ranked program
  
  
• 23:00 – 1991: Breakout season with 4 region champs
  
  
• 25:00 – Assistant coaches, wreck programs & youth pipeline
  
  
• 29:00 – Southern vs. Jackson rivalries & fan culture
  
  
• 33:00 – Coaching transitions: Stout → Roy → Present day
  
  
• 36:00 – Memorable seasons & state championship highlights
  
  
• 39:00 – Powerade, tough schedules, and building resilience
  
  
• 43:00 – Respect among Shore Conference coaching peers
  
  
• 46:00 – Coaching Frank Molinaro & early signs of greatness
  
  
• 50:00 – Has coaching/teaching changed over 40 years?
  
  
• 52:00 – Coaching vs parenting, regrets & reflections
  
  
• 57:00 – Coach’s rituals, guilty pleasures, and country music picks