Coach Ify Asoluka

By: Haroun Savage (NCMFC Staff)

For this member Spotlight, I had the opportunity to speak with Kean University Cornerback coach Ify Asoluka. Coach Asoluka’s journey in football didn’t follow a straight path, and that is exactly what shaped him into the coach he is today.

Growing up, football was always part of his life. Like many kids, he spent his early years playing outside with friends, learning the game naturally. It wasn’t until 7th grade, alongside a childhood friend, that he began playing organized football. From that point on, the game became something he wanted to seriously pursue.

Coach Asoluka played through high school and continued at the collegiate level, starting in sprint football at a four-year institution before transferring to junior college and then moving on to Monmouth University, where he finished his career. His performance created opportunities, including workouts with NFL teams and a private workout with the Green Bay Packers. He continued his playing career with stops in Arizona, Nebraska, Iowa, and San Diego, while also competing in different arena football leagues for multiple seasons.

Adversity eventually forced a shift in direction. After suffering an ACL injury, he began to rethink his long-term future in the game. He continued to chase opportunities, including playing in The Spring League showcase, but when COVID slowed momentum across football at every level, he started to seriously consider coaching.

That transition was built on relationships. Kareem Huggins, a former Hofstra player, served as a mentor during his playing career. Through that connection, Coach Asoluka met Ashley Pierre, known as Coach Smoke, at Irvington High School. In 2018, while still playing, he began helping with the defensive backs. What started as occasional involvement turned into something more consistent as Coach Smoke continued to encourage him to pursue coaching full-time.

One conversation stood out. Coach Smoke brought him into his office and showed him what top defensive backs coaches across the country were earning, while also explaining the level he believed Coach Asoluka could reach. He emphasized that with his age, experience, and understanding of the modern game, he had a real opportunity to build a strong future in coaching.

From that point, he committed. During his five years at Irvington, Coach Asoluka helped develop high-level talent, including two High School All-Americans and eight Division I players, as well as winning a state title. When Coach Smoke stepped down, he helped connect him with Kevin Pulley at Monroe College, opening the door to the next step.

At Monroe, Coach Asoluka was originally brought in to coach corners. Early on, the safeties coach resigned, which required him to take over the entire secondary. He embraced the responsibility and performed well enough to earn the role of Defensive Pass Game Coordinator. That season, multiple players from his unit earned scholarships and advanced their careers.

As his coaching career continued to grow, his personal life brought new priorities. With his wife expecting, he knew he needed to find an opportunity closer to home. Through a trusted connection, he learned about an opening at Kean University and secured the cornerback coach position.

He made an immediate impact in his first year. In his first year, Coach Asoluka helped transition a player from outside linebacker to corner, a position the player had never played before, and developed him into an All-American. That same player went on to earn opportunities at the New York Jets and New York Giants local days, highlighting both development and trust in the process.

At his core, Coach Cambero is driven by impact. His coaching goals center on mentoring student-athletes, serving as a consistent role model, and helping young men grow on and off the field. Drawing on his upbringing, he understands the challenges many of his players face and is passionate about using football and education as a pathway to opportunity, as it was for him.

Now at Mater Dei, Cambero is focused on upholding the program’s standard of excellence while continuing to push toward a national championship level. More importantly, he embraces his role at the high school level, believing it’s where he can make the greatest difference in his players’ lives.

Outside of his team responsibilities, Coach Asoluka has built a strong reputation training defensive backs in his area. He works with a wide range of athletes, including Division I players, and is known for his attention to detail and ability to connect with players. That ability to connect is central to his coaching philosophy. He encourages young coaches to be themselves, to speak up when appropriate, and to do so with respect and awareness of timing. He also emphasizes understanding each player individually, recognizing that confidence, emotions, and motivation are different for every athlete.

Coach Asoluka’s approach has been shaped by strong mentors. Coach Smoke provided belief and vision early on. Kamau Dumas was a teammate at Monmouth and is now the defensive backs coach at Monmouth. He remains someone he turns to for advice on both coaching and life. Kevin Pulley gave him his first major opportunity and continued to trust him with greater responsibility as he developed.

Off the field, his impact continues to grow. In his role at the Fedcap School, a behavioral program, Coach Asoluka works with students who have faced challenges and adversity. His goal is to help keep them on the right path. He also helped start a flag football program there, creating a positive outlet where students can compete and enjoy the game.

Looking ahead, Coach Asoluka is focused on continued growth. He wants to increase the team’s win total, improve national statistical rankings, and develop more All-Conference players. With added responsibilities this season, including special teams and a larger role with the full defensive back unit, he is continuing to expand his influence. At the core of it all, his mission remains the same. He wants to touch as many lives as possible.

For young coaches looking to follow a similar path, his advice is simple. Take the opportunity to get your foot in the door, and once you are in, show up every day ready to make a difference. How you present yourself matters, and the impact you can have on others is always there if you are willing to commit to it.

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