When Dr. Steve Racine coached what he thought was his final game of the 2018 season at Kinnelon High School, he made a solemn vow: this would be his last time on the sidelines as a head coach. The conviction behind his decision was palpable, and he truly believed that this time, it was for real.

Interestingly, Racine experienced similar feelings of finality when he initially stepped away from the Kinnelon soccer program back in 2011. However, the first retirement didn’t last. By 2015, Racine was back, leading the team for another four years. His second retirement seemed more steadfast, yet it too fell by the wayside after a heartfelt plea from some of his students this offseason. Unable to resist their earnest requests, Racine decided to return.

At 70 years old, Racine is more than just a seasoned coach; he is a dedicated social studies teacher at Morris County school. This fall, he signed up for his third stint at Kinnelon. His return was marked by a triumphant victory over Villa Walsh on September 4, officially signaling his comeback.

On a particularly significant Thursday, Kinnelon once again bested Villa Walsh. This win held extraordinary significance for Racine—it was the 600th victory of his distinguished career, which began at Morris Catholic in 1982. This milestone places him alongside Ramapo’s Paul Heenehan as one of the only coaches in state history to achieve 600 wins.

“It means I’ve been working too long,” Racine joked when asked about his remarkable achievement. “But truly, it’s an honor. I’ve been blessed with kids who are willing to buy in and accept the coaching and challenges I throw at them. I constantly strive to improve as a coach and still find joy in teaching. If I had coached straight through without any breaks, I’d have burned out by now. Coaching for 20 years or even 10 years straight is incredibly demanding. These breaks allow me to return refreshed and still have fun.”

Racine’s journey began when he took his first head coaching job at Morris Catholic at the age of 28. Before that, he had only coached club soccer and never envisioned a career in high school coaching until a parent from Morris Catholic suggested the opportunity. Once he accepted the position with the Crusaders, he immersed himself completely in transforming the team into winners.

He approached the soccer field like a chessboard, meticulously strategizing each move to secure victory. Racine earned his Doctor of Letters from Drew University, but he claims he earned his PhD in soccer at Morris Catholic.

In 1988, under his leadership, Morris Catholic won its first-ever state championship. This initial triumph was one of eleven state titles Racine would go on to win as a head coach. Following that championship, Morris Catholic set a state record with eight consecutive Group 1 titles.

“Once we started having success and getting kids into colleges, everyone wanted to come here,” Racine recalled. “The program almost built itself.”

Despite his success, some critics questioned Racine’s accomplishments due to Morris Catholic’s ability to attract talent—a luxury public schools in Group 1 couldn’t afford. When he left Morris Catholic in 2003 to join Kinnelon, Racine aimed to silence the doubters.

Three years into his tenure at Kinnelon, the team made history by winning its first-ever Group 1 championship. Racine also led the Colts to two Morris County championships during his first stint.

Paul Heenehan, who holds the state record with 747 wins, remarked on Racine’s dual-program success: “I take pride in starting the program at Ramapo and staying for 39 years, but it takes a unique individual to elevate two programs to the level Steve has. Achieving 600 wins speaks volumes about him as a coach.”

Racine initially retired to spend more time with his family. His daughter Sarah was about to begin her high school career at Morris Catholic, where her mother Christa Racine had starred and later became a longtime Drew coach. His youngest daughter Rebecca was also on her way to becoming a standout player.

When Mike Petrucelli, Racine’s successor and former assistant, stepped down in 2015, Kinnelon once again needed a coach. Racine felt compelled to return to ensure the program’s continued success.

In a unique twist, Sarah transferred to Kinnelon to play alongside Rebecca for one year under their father’s coaching. The team finished an impressive 17-6-1 that season.

After Sarah graduated and Rebecca transferred to Morris Knolls, Racine stayed for two more years before stepping down in 2018 following his first losing season as a high school coach. He took a year off before joining Morris Knolls as an assistant coach, enjoying the game without the pressures of running a program.

However, Kinnelon remained close to Racine’s heart. When they needed him again, he returned after consulting with his daughters Danielle, Sarah, and Rebecca—all of whom gave their blessing.

This summer brought adjustments for both Racine and his players at Kinnelon. He humorously noted that Dr. Racine and Coach Racine are two very different personas. Yet he has seen the same commitment from his players as during his previous tenures at Kinnelon and Morris Catholic.

Now in his 35th year as a high school girls’ soccer coach, Racine boasts an illustrious career with twelve group championships and eight Morris County titles—capped off with his 600th win.

“Coaching is something my dad truly enjoys,” said Sarah Racine. “It isn’t just a job for him; it’s a passion embedded in his DNA.”