Jim Zullo has been coaching high school basketball most of his life.

The New York state basketball hall of famer has coached at numerous upstate schools during his tenure. Along the way, Zullo has won six sectional championships, 12 league titles and even the 1987 state crown at Shenendehowa.

“It’s been interesting for a 81-year-old person to coach 15- and 16- and 17-year-olds,” Zullo said.

He originally retired in 1999, but returned to coaching a few times over the years. Most recently, Zullo became the head coach of the Northville girls varsity basketball team.

“I like how he pushes me and really motivates our team,” said Hailey Monroe, a senior guard for Northville. “And just how I'm growing and the team is growing.”

This latest coaching stint came to fruition in 2023 when Zullo and his wife Linda moved to be closer to their daughter. That’s because Linda had been battling cancer.

“She was getting weaker by the day, and she didn't want me to sit around and watch her,” Zullo said. “It really was her desire that I get back into coaching.”

Northville happened to need a coach, so Zullo came out of retirement. As he and the Falcons begin to click, at home Linda wasn’t getting any better. On Jan. 14, 2024, she passed away at the age of 73.

“She was a special person, and she was very caring,” Zullo said. “She wanted me to be happy, and my kids to be happy. That was her main goal. She was always supportive.”

For Zullo, coaching helped ease grief. He kept going to practices and games, and Northville ended up making it all the way to the Class D state championship game.

The same weekend his son Sam also got his team to the state title game in Connecticut.

“It was indescribable, really,” said Zullo, who’s team had just six players.

With Linda watching from above, Sam and his team won it all, while Zullo and Northville finished as state runner up. The run was still nothing short of remarkable.

“We’ve wondered about that – who would she have been rooting for,” Zullo said. “My son thinks it was him, but I don't know. I think she would’ve been rooting for both of us.”

This past fall, Zullo returned to coach Northville for his second season and is looking to get back to the state tournament. So far, they’re on the right path. Year two with the Falcons has also included coaching his two nieces Isabella Colon and Ahmya Tompkins.

“It's definitely really tough. You know just with that Zullo name, I get a lot of pressure on me to be the best,” said Colon, a sophomore. “And he definitely wants me to be.”

“I love the way he coaches now,” said Tompkins, a senior. “Even though it's tough, I know it’s to make us better.”

But this will likely be his final dance. Zullo says this will be his last year of coaching, before settling back into retirement for good this time.

“I don't know who else would want me,” said Zullo, laughing when asked if he’ll stay retired this time. “I think I'll go fishing and play pickleball.”