Brian Meeney, who led the St. Thomas Aquinas High School football team to an undefeated regular season in 2021, has died, according to the school’s social media accounts.

The St. Thomas Aquinas High School account tweeted on Thursday afternoon, “We are saddened to share that head football coach Brian Meeney has passed away.” Please keep the Meeney and STA families in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. During this difficult time, counselors and Campus Ministry will be available to assist any student in need.”

Jerry Smith, athletic director at St. Thomas Aquinas, said he received a phone call around 11:30 a.m. Thursday from assistant coach Chris Young informing him that Meeney had died of an apparent heart attack earlier that morning.

At 1 p.m., he informed the players, and a priest followed with words of comfort. Smith stated that Meeney was 46 years old and had two young daughters. Meeney worked as a physical education teacher in the Bergen County Technical Schools system.