East Rutherford, NJ – The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected Mr. Eugene Kline of Elizabeth High School (Elizabeth, N.J.) as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 4 of the 2026 season.
The Elizabeth Minutemen are off to an impressive 4-0 start, defeating 2-0 St. Joseph High School in Metuchen by a score of 62-35 on Friday night. It is Elizabeth's first 4-0 start since 2015 and the program's first 60-point performance since 2010. The Minutemen are now just one win away from last season's total of five victories. While Elizabeth has been impressive across the board, this win was highlighted by senior QB & LB A'rique Fleming, who passed for 378 yards and five touchdowns, ran for 100 yards and one touchdown, and added seven tackles, including one for a loss.
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 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 high school football, developing motivated student-athletes and contributing overall to their community.
In recognition of Coach Kline'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 John Harbaugh, and will be honored at a postseason dinner and at a 2027 preseason home game.
2026 is Coach Kline's third season as head coach at Elizabeth, where he has an 18-14 record after he took over in week four of the 2024 season. At the conclusion of the season, Coach Kline was named the Big Central Conference (American Gold Division) Coach of the Year. He previously served as head coach at Columbia High School in Maplewood and has been coaching for a total of 26 years. During his coaching career, he was fortunate to coach at several high schools including his alma mater, Somerville High School, where he was part of the 1994 Central Jersey Group 2 State Championship team and later served as an assistant coach. He also served as an assistant coach for the Montclair High School football staff that won four NJSIAA, North 1, Group 5 Sectional Championships.
"It is with great humility and gratitude that I would like to extend a huge thank you to the New York Giants and Gatorade for naming me the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week," said Kline. "Thank you for all that you do to support high school football and for thinking of me and our program. This recognition means a great deal to me.
First and foremost, I would like to thank my wife who is the most important person in my life. She is the person who makes it possible for me to do what I love. I am truly grateful for the sacrifices she makes for our family and for her unwavering support. I would also like to thank my children for loving and supporting their dad. Having the support of my family means the world to me.
I would also like to thank my players. These young men are second to no one! They are outstanding student-athletes who show up every day ready to work, compete, and represent our program. Their commitment and dedication are what make our program special. I want to thank our coaches for their tireless effort and for pouring into our young men every single day. I would also like to thank our trainers for everything they do to keep our players healthy and on the field. Lastly, I want to thank our athletic administration, school administration, the Elizabeth Board of Education, and the entire Elizabeth community for their continued support. There are so many people working behind the scenes who help make our program the best it can be, and I am incredibly grateful for each and every one of them.
This is not a 'me' award—it is a 'we' award. It represents the collective effort, sacrifice, and commitment of everyone who is a part of our program. 'All In, All Together!'"
