East Rutherford, NJ – The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected Mr. Joe Trongone of Clarkstown North High School (New City, NY) as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 4 of the 2025 season. The Rams are 3-0 after defeating Nyack 47-19 on Friday night in front of their home crowd and are averaging almost 42 points per game to start the season, while allowing just 17 points per game. The win is Clarkstown North's sixth consecutive victory dating back to last season, when they won their last three games of the year.
The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week Award is part of the Giants' continuing effort to support local high school football programs. 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 high school football season, the Giants selected 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 contributing overall to their community.
In recognition of Coach Trongone's selection as Coach of the Week, a $2,000 check will be granted to the school's football program from The Giants Foundation and Gatorade. He will also receive a certificate of recognition signed by Giants head coach Brian Daboll and will be honored at a dinner following the season, as well as at a 2026 pre-season home game.
Trongone has served as a football coach in the Clarkstown Central School district for 33 years and a math teacher in the same district for nearly 30 years. He has been the head football coach at Clarkstown North since 2000 and is currently the longest tenured head football coach in Clarkstown schools history.
A recipient of the Don DeMatteo Service Award in 2022, selected by the Section 1 Football Coaches Association, and Coach of the Year for Section 1 Class AA and Rockland County in 2010 and 2015, Trongone is actively involved in all stages and aspects of the game. An assistant coach in both the NFL Junior Player Development in 2008 and High School Player Development until 2014, acting as co-site coordinator for three years, he takes pride in working with kids from all levels and areas of Rockland County. Beyond Rockland, Joe has coached in the New York vs. New Jersey Governors Bowl, the Upstate Downstate NY Classic, and the Section 1 Football Exceptional Senior Game. He currently is the chairman of the Section 1 Exceptional Senior Game, Co-Treasurer of Section 1 Football, and is an Executive Board member of the New York State High School Football Coaches Association.
"I was truly touched when the Giants organization reached out to tell me I was receiving this recognition," said Trongone. "Having played football since I was a kid, this sport has been a huge part of my life and has shaped who I am. This award recognizes the hard work of our entire program, from our players to our coaches, to our families who support us. It takes a group effort to build something successful, and I want to thank all of them and especially the New York Giants for honoring us. Football is truly the greatest team sport ever and I have been honored to be a part of it for most of my life.
