TCNJ assistant coach Donald Klein dies in crash

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) lost a member of its football team on Tuesday morning. Assistant coach Donald Klein IIi veered off the road at I-195 and hit a tree.

Klein III reportedly crashed into the tree at 5:11 am near milepost 3 in Hamilton, N.J., State Police said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:40 am, Trooper Alejandro Goez said. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

There were also no passengers in his vehicle at the time of the accident.

He joined Casey Goff’s coaching staff last year. He was the team’s offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator.

He was also the team’s video coordinator.

On Saturday, Klein helped the Lions win their second straight game at Homecoming. They won 24-7 over the William Paterson Pioneers at Lions Stadium.

“We are in shock at the news of Coach Klein’s passing,” TCNJ athletic director Amanda DeMartino said in a statement. “Donny was beloved by the team and his colleagues and his energy and upbeat personality were admired by all of us at TCNJ. He will be greatly missed by our campus community. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

The crash is under investigation. He is survived by his girlfriend Courtney Colford, son Dax, his father Donald II, and mother Cindy Zanfini, according to NJ.com.

He is in the Manasquan High School Hall of Fame. He played football and lacrosse at the school.

He played college football at Temple University. After graduating, he returned to Manasquan to coach both teams prior to leaving to his TCNJ post.