A Familiar Face Returns to Lead the Argonauts
Rutgers Prep announced this week that Will Abrams, a 1998 graduate of the school and a longtime assistant, will succeed Matt Bloom as the head coach of the boys' basketball program. Bloom departed after nine seasons, during which he guided the Argonauts to a 2022 sectional championship and four Somerset County Tournament finals. The school’s athletic director praised Abrams’ deep connection to the community and his proven ability to develop talent.
Abrams’ basketball journey began on the courts of Utica University, where he averaged 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds as a senior. He launched his coaching career as an assistant at Division II Felician University before joining the Rutgers women’s staff under Hall of Famer C. Vivian Stringer in 2017. A year later he took on a dual role as basketball director at USA Sports Group in New Jersey, sharpening his organizational skills while maintaining ties to the local youth circuit.
During his five‑year stint as associate head coach at Rutgers Prep, Abrams helped the program capture the Somerset County title in both 2023 and 2024, and he was part of the 2022 sectional‑championship team. The Argonauts entered the 2025‑26 season with an 18‑10 record, returning a core of veteran upperclassmen while navigating the departure of sophomore star Will Brunson, who transferred to Florida’s IMG Academy.
Abrams inherits a squad that blends experience with untapped potential. The returning players, many of whom were key contributors in the recent county finals, are expected to shoulder greater responsibility. Coaches and teammates alike note his emphasis on disciplined defense and a balanced offensive attack as the team aims to contend for another county crown.
This appointment marks the third head‑coach change at Rutgers Prep in the past 23 years, underscoring the school’s confidence in continuity and growth from within. With the offseason underway, Abrams is already shaping practice plans and recruiting strategies, eager to build on the program’s upward trajectory and maintain the Argonauts’ reputation as a perennial contender in New Jersey basketball.