“As a coach and educator, I believe in building strong fundamentals–whether that is in the classroom, or on the field of play. For our communities, those fundamentals are simple: well paying jobs, thriving main streets, top-notch education for our children, safe streets, and protections of our fundamental rights as citizens.”
- Benjie Wimberly
Meet
Benjie
Benjie E. Wimberly was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Virginia State University, Benjie returned to Paterson and became an integral member of the leadership team of the city. As an educator, coach, and public servant, he has made it his life’s work to improve Paterson’s quality of life, to address the needs of city youth, and to be a part of preparing Paterson and its stakeholders for the future.
As such, Benjie served as a special education teacher at Eastside High School, coach and mentor for the E.H.S. Varsity baseball and football teams, and Director of Paterson Division of Recreation. As the head Baseball Coach at Eastside High School his team won 100 games, the 1993 Passaic County Championship and traveled to Puerto Rico four times for spring training. He also had two players sign MLB contracts Carlton McKenzie (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Danny Singletary (Arizona Diamondbacks).
Benjie Wimberly was the former head coach of the Paterson Catholic High School football team in Paterson, N J. Under his leadership, the team won seven State Championships and eight league Championships. He went on to become the Head Football Coach at Hackensack High School, where he won 50 games in nine years and won 3 League Championships.
Coach Wimberly can add to his credit, the success stories of former players, such as NFL player Victor Cruz (formerly NY Giants, now Chicago Bears), TJ Clemmings (Washington Commanders), Elijah Schumate (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Al Quandin Muhammad (Dallas Cowboys). Coach Wimberly currently was also a volunteer Coach at St. Joseph’s Regional High School in Montvale. Coach Wimberly has assisted thousands of students and athletes with millions of dollars in scholarships. In January 2024, he was inducted into the NJSIAA Coaches Hall of Fame.
Currently Benjie is serving his seventh term in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he has been named the General Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore as well as Vice Chair of the Budget Committee. In the Assembly, he also serves on Housing, Higher Education, the Joint Committee on the Public Schools, Chairman, Joint Committee on Economic Justice, and Equal Employment Opportunity.
In addition to serving in the Assembly, Benjie serves on the NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association and NJSETC (New Jersey State Employment & Training Commission).
In addition, Coach Wimberly, serves as the President of the New Jersey Minority Coaches Association, which fosters a more active role in recruitment of Minority Coaches.
Wimberly is a life member (#5474) of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.; a member of the NAACP and many boards and commissions. He has collaborated with his non-profit group, PATERSON TEAM HOPE, and community agencies to provide the following services: expungement seminars, tax appeal seminars, foreclosure workshops, go green initiatives, clothing drives, dinners for the needy, toy drives, Project Graduation, Thanksgiving turkey donations, scholarship fundraisers and community clean-ups, as well as the Jordan Cleaves Scholarship Fund, where over $60,000 has been given away, to benefit students who attend Virginia State
University from New Jersey.
Benjie and his wife Kimberlynn are proud parents of four sons: Justin, Jared, Jordan, and Jaden, with a newly born Grandson, Jayce Noah.
Awards and Recognition
Community Service Award
2019-2020
School 13
Coaches Hall of Fame Induction
2021
Passaic County National Football Foundation
Music Therapy State Advocacy Service Award
11/20/2020
American Music Therapy Association
Living Example of Making a Difference in the Community Award
1/22/2022
New Jersey Legacy
Juneteenth Keeping the Dream Alive Making A Difference Award
6/15/2022
NJ National Action Network/Jumpstart
Black History Month Recognition Award
2/1/2023
City of Paterson Council
Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Year
2020
The New York Giants
Induction into the Paterson Old Timers Hall of Fame
2022
POTBYL
The Making a Difference Award
6/16/2021
The Peruvian Bicentennial Commission
Lifetime Achievement Award - Positive Peer Culture
4/9/2022
City of Paterson Community Policing
Change Maker Award representing Jets at XLIX Super Bowl
12/22/2022
The New York Jets
Community Service Award for Barclay Place Apartments
7/10/2023
St. Joe's Hospital & NJ CDC