"Coach Lawrence, just showed a confidence in me that made me think I could do whatever I really set my mind to."

After graduating in 1998, Josh served as an assistant football and baseball coach at Rye Country Day School and Muhlenberg. He also was an assistant football coach at Lafayette and Fordham before taking some time away from the coaching profession.
 
More than a decade after he was one of the top kick returners in college football, Josh made another big return to his alma mater, Muhlenberg College where he was hired as quarterbacks/wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator in 2014. This past winter, Josh made another big change with a move to Juniata College where he was hired as the 23rd head coach of the football team. 
 
Josh played for the Mules from 1998 to 2001 and rewrote the record book, setting still-standing school records for career yards (2,189), average (29.2) and touchdowns (4) on kickoff returns, yards (1,550) on punt returns, all-purpose yards in a career (6,642) and game (344), touchdown receptions in career (33), season (14) and game (4) and career receiving yards (2,733). He also tied the mark for career receptions (169).
 
More than 10 years after his graduation, Josh still holds the all-time Division III records for career yards on punt returns and combined yards on kick returns (3,739). A three-year All-American, Josh was named to the All-Centennial Conference first team five times (three as a kick returner and two as a wide receiver) and was CC offensive player of the year in 2000. Also a standout on the baseball field, where he hit .348, stole a school-record 86 bases and pitched a no-hitter, Josh was inducted into the Muhlenberg College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
 
Is there something that you will always remember from your high school experience at RCDS?
There are many things that I remember from my time at RCDS but what sticks out and will never be forgotten is the relationships that I developed with my classmates, the faculty, and staff. Coming back to campus now and getting to look back fondly on my time at RCDS and also give thanks for all that they helped me achieve.
 
Is there anything you wish you could do at RCDS that you didn’t do when you were a student here?
One thing I think I would have given a shot is drama. The productions that were put on were always excellent and I would have liked to experience the preparation and excitement of performing on stage.
 
Was there a coach who inspired you to pursue football in college and beyond? 
Jon Leef and Ted Lawrence definitely inspired me to play football beyond high school. It may not have been intentional but Coach Leef accepted me onto the team late in my sophomore season even after I had missed preseason, otherwise I would have probably never looked at the gridiron ever again. Coach Lawrence, just showed a confidence in me that made me think I could do whatever I really set my mind to.
 
Beside skills of the game and physical ability, what other values do you look for in an athlete and consider important as the Assistant Football Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at Muhlenberg College?
Character, Academics, Passion for the Game. An athlete needs the first two in order to make me feel comfortable with bringing him on the campus and contributing to our community. Passion for the game lets me know that a student athlete is willing to put in the time and effort needed to be successful beyond just having great talent.
 
As a 3 year All American, 5 year- All Centennial Conference first team, Centennial Conference offensive player of the year in 2000, and all time Division III record holder for career yards on punt returns and combined yards on kick returns, what advice do you have for our student athletes as they begin to think about playing collegiate sports? 
Run as fast as you can and don’t look back… J/K. Honestly they have to embrace sacrifice because there wiIl be times when you have tough choices to make. I had a wise coach once say, “Don’t sacrifice what you really want for something you want right now.”