From Combat to Coaching: Simonsen Bill Backs Veterans on the Sidelines
A South Jersey Army veteran who spent years leading Soldiers overseas may soon have the opportunity to lead student athletes at home under legislation introduced by Assemblyman Erik Simonsen.
The bill, Assembly 1429, would allow New Jersey school districts to hire certain honorably discharged veterans as coaches in interscholastic athletics even if they do not hold a New Jersey teaching certificate or substitute credential.
For Ryan Lewis, the legislation is personal.
Lewis, who joined the United States Army at 17 years old, served as an Infantryman throughout his military career, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2014. A lifelong baseball player, Lewis says the lessons he learned on the field helped shape the Soldier, father, and leader he became.
“Baseball taught me discipline, teamwork, accountability, and how to handle pressure,” Lewis said. “The Army reinforced those same values in a completely different environment. Both taught me that success depends on trusting your team, staying mentally tough, and never quitting when things get difficult.”
Today, Lewis continues serving full time in the Army National Guard while coaching his six-year-old son Paxton in youth baseball.
But despite years of leadership experience in athletics and military service, Lewis currently does not meet New Jersey’s requirements to coach high school sports because he did not attend college after graduating high school in 2012.
“One of my goals has always been to coach baseball at the high school level,” Lewis said. “Unfortunately, because I committed myself to military service immediately after high school, I don’t meet the current credential requirements. That’s frustrating because I know I still have something valuable to offer young athletes.”
Simonsen said stories like Lewis’s helped inspire the legislation.
“Ryan represents exactly the kind of mentor we should want around our students and athletes,” Simonsen said. “These veterans have already demonstrated leadership, discipline, resilience, and commitment through military service. We should not be telling them they are unqualified to coach simply because they chose to serve their country instead of following a traditional college path.”
Before serving in the Legislature, Simonsen spent decades in education as both a teacher and athletic director, retiring from Lower Cape May Regional High School. He is also currently the longest-serving member of the Assembly Education Committee.
Drawing from that experience, Simonsen said coaching is about much more than wins and losses.
“Some of the most important lessons students learn come from coaches,” Simonsen said. “It’s about accountability, teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and character. Veterans bring real-world experience that can have a tremendous impact on young people both on and off the field.”
Under the legislation, eligible veterans would need to be honorably discharged and have completed at least four years of military service. Local school boards would still maintain discretion over hiring decisions for full-time or part-time coaching positions.
Supporters of the bill say it could also help address coaching shortages while creating new mentorship opportunities for students.
Lewis believes veterans can provide guidance that extends far beyond athletics.
“A lot of young people are still figuring out their future after graduation,” Lewis said. “Not everyone takes the same path in life. Veterans can help teach structure, leadership, commitment, and service while showing students there are many different ways to succeed.”
For Lewis, the connection between baseball and military service has always remained clear.
“Baseball taught me how to handle pressure one pitch at a time,” he said. “The Army taught me how to handle life one mission at a time. In both, success depends on discipline, trust in your team, and never giving up.”
Simonsen said the legislation is ultimately about recognizing the value veterans continue to bring to their communities long after their military service ends.
“Our veterans have already proven their ability to lead under pressure and serve something bigger than themselves,” Simonsen said. “This bill simply gives local school districts the flexibility to recognize that experience and put it to work helping the next generation.”