Coach Prendergast joined Monmouth in September 2026 and brings extensive experience in athlete development, recruiting and program leadership to Monmouth University after a successful high school coaching career that included multiple NJSIAA championships, the development of student-athletes who advanced to compete at the NCAA level and the establishment of strong relationships throughout the New Jersey running community.
Throughout his coaching career, Prendergast has focused on developing student-athletes, building championship-caliber programs and establishing a culture that allows both teams and individuals to reach their full potential.
Prior to joining Monmouth, Prendergast served as a head coach at both Manalapan High School and Manasquan High School. At Manalapan, he oversaw the boys’ cross country, boys’ outdoor track and field, and boys’ and girls’ indoor track and field programs while serving as the primary distance coach across all three seasons.
Under his leadership, Manalapan developed into one of New Jersey’s most successful programs, capturing multiple NJSIAA Group 4 and sectional championships. His student-athletes also earned individual state championships and established dozens of individual and relay school records.
Prendergast’s success earned him multiple coaching honors, highlighted by being named the 2025 New Jersey Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year by NJ.com and the 2025 Shore Conference Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year by the Asbury Park Press.
Among Prendergast’s recent championship accomplishments are:
• 2024 Boys Cross Country – NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 Champions
• 2025 Girls Indoor Track and Field – NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 Champions
• 2025 Girls Indoor Track and Field – NJSIAA Group 4 Champions
• 2025 Boys Cross Country – NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 Champions
• 2025 Boys Cross Country – NJSIAA Group 4 Champions
• 2026 Boys Indoor Track and Field – NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 Champions
Prendergast resides in Brick, New Jersey, with his wife and their three sons.
