Ridge Football Coaches

 Varsity Offensive Line / Linebackers Coach & Special Teams Coordinator 

Coach Arimenta is a proud alumnus of Ridge High School, where he played football and captained the team. After high school, Coach Arimenta went on to play college football at Kean University. His coaching journey has included impactful stops at Northern Valley Demarest and Seton Hall Prep, where he helped develop student-athletes both on and off the field. He has since returned to his hometown for a second stint at Ridge High School, bringing his passion, experience, and commitment back to the program that helped shape him.

Beyond the football field, Coach Arimenta serves as a Physical Education and Health Teacher at William Annin Middle School. He is also a Personal Trainer at Test Sports, working with athletes of all ages to improve strength, speed, and performance.

In his free time, Anthony enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Pam, and their two daughters, Lexi and Alana.

 Freshman Head Coach

Tyler joined the football coaching staff in 2021 as the assistant freshman coach. He graduated from Kean University in 2019 with a degree in Health and Physical Education and a minor in coaching. He has since completed a Master’s Degree in Adventure Education from Plymouth State University and another in Coaching and Athletics Administration from Concordia University Irvine. While in college he was a member of the Kean university lacrosse team and was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society. Tyler is also a Physical Education and Health teacher as well as the head JV lacrosse coach at Ridge High School. He also oversees the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Ridge.

Varsity Offensive and Defensive Line Coach

Matt graduated from Ridge High School in 2018, where he was a starter on the varsity offensive and defensive lines. During his time at Ridge, he found a passion for coaching while working with the town’s youth football program. He went on to attend Seton Hall University, where he earned a degree in Finance. In 2022, Matt had the opportunity to join the Ridge varsity coaching staff, where he has coached ever since.

Today, Matt works as a Wealth Advisor and is entering his fifth season with the Ridge football program. Over the past several years, he has enjoyed coaching great teams, including his two younger brothers, and seeing his brother Jake continue his football career at the University of Rochester. Matt looks forward to continuing to develop the offensive and defensive lines alongside his former coach, Sutherland, and his brother, Nick.

Varsity Assistant Coach

 Nick is a 2025 graduate of Ridge High School, where he was a two-year starter on the offensive line and served as a team captain his senior year. Following graduation, he enrolled at Seton Hall University to

pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. Now in his second year on the Ridge varsity coaching staff, Nick works as an assistant coach with both the offensive and defensive linemen.

Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks and Defensive Backs Coach

Joe Macho is in his first year on the staff at Ridge. He was raised in Old Tappan, NJ and attended Bergen Catholic High School where he was a 3-sport athlete before going on to play collegiate football at Marist University in Poughkeepsie, New York. Coach Macho also played one year of collegiate basketball his freshman year as a walk-on as well. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration Coach Macho returned to Bergen Catholic as an assistant coach under the legendary head coach Fred Stengel. He then pursued graduate studies at American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he earned his Master’s degree in Special Education and served as a graduate assistant coach, coaching wide receivers, defensive backs as well as being the recruiting & film coordinator — and where he met his wife, Himani. 

Back in New Jersey, Coach Macho has spent 15 years as a Special Education teacher in New Brunswick, where he also served four years as offensive coordinator for the school’s football program. He went on to coach at Watchung Hills Regional High School under Rich Seubert, a former New York Giants NFL player, before joining the staff at Immaculata High School under Ridge legend head coach Tom Falato — where he first crossed paths with current Ridge High School head coach Jeff Sutherland. He subsequently served as offensive coordinator at South Brunswick High School as well.

Coach Macho then joined Warren Hills Regional High School in Washington, New Jersey, where he spent five seasons as offensive coordinator before taking over as head coach in his sixth year, leading the team to a winning record of 5–4 and a playoff berth in his first season. 

He now serves as Offensive Coordinator at Ridge High School. Coach Macho resides in Harmony Township with his wife, Himani, and their daughter, Isabella.

Freshman Assistant Coach
 

Chris is in his 2nd year with the program coaching at the freshman level. Prior to Ridge, he coached at Livingston High School. Chris is a 2015 graduate of Livingston High School where he played both football and lacrosse. He graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with both Bachelor’s (2019) and Master’s (2021) degrees in Sports Administration. Chris is currently a Physical Education and Health teacher in Bedminster. Chris currently resides in Basking Ridge with his wife, Kaitlin and their boxer, Rocky.

Varsity Assistant Coach, JV Head Coach, Tight Ends, and Defensive Ends

Coach Vena is in his fourth season on the Red Devils’ staff. Prior to joining Ridge, he spent five seasons at Hopewell Valley Central High School, serving as an associate head coach and offensive coordinator, where he helped lead the Bulldogs to a sectional finals appearance.

A former tight end at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), Coach Vena brings both playing experience and a passion for developing athletes on and off the field. In addition to his varsity coaching duties, he founded

the Ridge Flag Football Program for female athletes and runs Garden State Flag Football, further growing the sport in the community.

Coach Vena lives in Morris County with his wife, Christina, and their dog, Fred.

Varsity Assistant Coach, Receivers and Defensive Backs Coach

Coach Jimmy Zilinski is entering his seventh season coaching high school football and his second season as a member of the coaching staff at Ridge High School. Throughout his coaching career, he has worked with multiple position groups and has served in a variety of leadership roles. Prior to joining Ridge, Coach Zilinski coached at Morristown-Beard School, where he served as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. He also coached at Whippany Park High School as the running backs coach.

This season at Ridge High School, Coach Zilinski will coach the wide receivers and defensive backs. He is committed to helping student-athletes develop both on and off the field by emphasizing discipline, accountability, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. Coach Zilinski is passionate about teaching the fundamentals of the game, fostering meaningful relationships with his players, and creating a positive, competitive environment that prepares young athletes for success in football and in life.