At 25 years old, new North Arlington football coach brings a winning background

Ali Beh promises this is the start of something new.

Beh, 25, was approved as the new football coach at North Arlington last month. He comes to the Vikings after coaching at Newark East Side and Weequahic, his alma mater.

“Getting this job is a dream come true,” said Beh, who is also currently the girls flag football coach at Shabazz. “Everyone is new and I’m still learning the kids, but these guys are hungry. They know a lot of people are doubting us, but I tell them to just be patient and trust the process.”

Beh takes over a Vikings program that has had recent success, reaching the playoffs each of the last two years, but graduates 17 seniors from the program next month.

“We have to take it day by day,” Beh said. “You measure success when you’re in transition by getting better in the little things. The big things are winning games and getting in the playoffs. In Year 1, we’re about building relationships and doing what we can do, showing our Viking pride in our community and all the connections we are able to build.”

The Newark native played high school football at Weequahic and for Queen of Peace for a season. He was on an Indians team that finished 12-0, playing mainly linebacker and defensive back.

After graduating from Kean with his degree in business management, Beh got into coaching back at Weequahic, which led to other opportunities at the high school and small college level. He works in the operations department at North Star Academy and is also studying for his master's degree.

In between his job coaching at Shabazz, Beh is meeting with the Vikings a few days a week in the weight room. He said the numbers have been in the low 30s, not counting any incoming eighth graders.

“Firs and foremost, you have to have enthusiasm in everything you do,” Beh said. “It can’t be forced. That starts with building connections and it comes from the administration and students and parents and players and the staff. Once you have an all-in mindset, the leaders emerge, you work hard and go from there.”

Beh has had success at each stop along the way. He promises a defense that will play fast and create turnovers, and an offense that will control the line of scrimmage. Being a head coach has been his dream, and now it’s here.

“I always knew I wanted to be a coach, ever since Little League,” Beh said. “I would always study my position and every other position to understand everyone’s role.”