New York Giants Official Website

Giants Name Westhill's Wagner High School Coach Of The Week For Week 5

October 14, 2004

East Rutherford, NJ - The New York Giants have selected Mr. Chris Wagner of Westhill High School (Stamford, CT) as "The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week" for the week of October 10, 2004. Westhill defeated Darien (2-2) 22-12 on the road Friday night to improve their record to 3-1. Under the direction of their first-year coach, the 2004 Vikings are only the second Westhill team to have a winning record at any point during a season in over 10 years.

In recognition of Coach Wagner's success and commitment, he will receive a certificate of recognition signed by the NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, NFL Director of Football Operations Gene Washington, and the Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin. A $1,000 check will be granted to the Westhill High School football program. Coach Wagner will be acknowledged by a stadium announcement when the Giants host the Detroit Lions on October 24. An announcement will also be posted on the Giants web site, www.giants.com.

The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week Award, started in 1996, is part of the Giants' continuing effort to promote youth football. The Giants elected to name the award in memory of former Union High School (NJ) coach, Lou Rettino, for his fine commitment to the game of football, his community and the betterment of his athletes' lives.

Each week during the 2004 high school football season, the Giants will select one area high school head coach as the Coach of the Week winner. The selection is based on the coach's continuing commitment towards promoting youth football, developing motivated student-athletes and his overall community involvement. At the conclusion of the 2004 season, the Giants will choose a Coach of the Year. That coach will receive $2,000 for their school's football program.

Chris Wagner began his coaching career at Port Chester High School (Westchester, NY), where he served as an assistant for 2 seasons prior to becoming the head coach, guiding the team to a 22-22 record over five seasons. Wagner then coached under Dino Garr at Rye High School for three seasons prior to taking over the football program at Westhill. Coach Wagner is in his 12th year of teaching health and physical education at Port Chester Middle School.

Coach Wagner would like to thank all of the Westhill community, his players and varsity coaching staff of: Mike Arterberry, Jamie Longo, Joe Sandarciero, D.J. Mulvany, Todd Jones and Rich D'Amico for their hardwork and loyalty that has led to the early success of Westhill High School. Among his coaching highlights, Wagner lists coaching Stephen Miller, an inspiring individual and New York City firefighter who was a true hero on September 11, 2001.