BROOKLYN, NY — A new chapter is beginning at Samuel J. Tilden High School as the Blue Devils usher in a new football regime under head coach Warren Hazel Jr., former JV Head Coach at Transit Tech Career and Technical Education High School, according to the PSAL website. Hazel comes from the staff of former Tilden Head Coach Nga Warren, who led Tilden to a 10-2 record in 2019. With a new coaching staff comes a renewed vision for what Tilden football can become. The Blue Devils enter this new era with a program that carries a long and meaningful history in New York City football. The program has also been through periods of transition, making the arrival of a new regime an opportunity to establish a clear identity and direction moving forward.
In 2025, Tilden finished 1-7 in PSAL 1A, setting the stage for a coaching staff determined to change the trajectory of the program. But this new era comes with something else — a new home to build it in. The Tilden campus now features a newly renovated playing field, giving the Blue Devils a fresh facility as the program looks to establish a fresh identity. The reconstruction of the Tilden athletic field and field house was part of a major capital project, with city records listing more than $3.6 million in project funding. For a program entering a new chapter, the timing could not be more fitting. A new coaching staff, a new standard and a newly renovated field provide the foundation for Tilden to begin building toward the future. The field represents more than just a new place to play. It gives players a new environment in which to practice, compete and develop, while providing the program with an opportunity to create a home-field identity.
For Hazel and his staff, the challenge will be turning that new environment into a culture that players take pride in representing every day. The expectation is that the new facility will become a place where standards are established, relationships are built and the next generation of Blue Devils begins to leave its mark. For the new staff, the mission is bigger than simply putting together a competitive football team. The goal is to create an environment where players understand what it means to represent Tilden, compete for one another, and take ownership of their development. The new regime plans to emphasize fundamentals, preparation, toughness, accountability and consistency. Every practice, meeting, workout and game will serve a purpose in building the standard the program wants to become known for.
With Warren Hazel Jr. leading the way, a committed coaching staff, a newly renovated field and a renewed emphasis on player development, Tilden has an opportunity to build something that extends far beyond the 2026 season. The goal is not simply to have a better season, but to establish a culture that can sustain success for years to come.
For the players, this is their opportunity to become the foundation of the next chapter in Tilden football. The new field will become the place where the standard is established, the work is put in and the identity of this team is forged. There is no guarantee of how quickly the turnaround will happen, but the direction is clear. A new coaching staff. A new home. A new standard. And a new era of Tilden football is officially underway.