East Rutherford, N.J. – The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected Mr. Dave Ettinger of Garden City High School (Garden City, N.Y.) as the 2025 Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Year. Coach Ettinger's love of coaching, and commitment to his student athletes has translated into the most dominant winning streak that New York State football has ever witnessed. Under Ettinger's leadership the Trojans have now won 66 straight games dating back to 2020, which is also the longest active win streak in the nation. On November 21st, despite losing two players, including their quarterback, they defeated Long Beach High School 27-12 to win their 10th straight Nassau Conference II championship, and the 30th in the school's proud history. On November 29th, Garden City defeated East Islip (10-2) by a score of 10-7 to win their 5th consecutive Long Island Class II Championship and finish the season 12-0. In 11 years as head coach, Ettinger's all-time record stands at an unbelievable 119-3, with 10 Nassau Conference II championships, and 8 Long Island Class II Championships.
The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Year 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 (N.J.) coach, Lou Rettino, for his fine commitment to the game of football, his community and the betterment of his athletes' lives. The Giants also select a Coach of the Week during the first ten weeks of the high school football season. 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 Ettinger's selection as Coach of the Year, a $4,000 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 interim head coach Mike Kafka and will be honored at a dinner following the season, as well as a 2026 pre-season home game. Ettinger will also be the Giants' nominee for the NFL's Don Shula NFC High School Coach of the Year Award and will receive $1,000 from the NFL Foundation.
Coach Ettinger graduated from Commack High School (Commack, NY) in 1993 and attended Hofstra University where he was a 4-year starting kicker for the football team. He set the all-time career scoring record with 326 points and was a two-time All-American. In addition, Coach Ettinger played in the 1997 Hula Bowl and attended the 1998 scouting combine.
Coach Ettinger began his coaching career at Garden City Middle School in 1999 and was there until he became an assistant coach at Garden City High School in 2005 under legendary Hall of Fame coach Tom Flatley. He took over the program in 2016 and has gone on to lead the program to unprecedented levels of success. Ettinger was honored as the Giants' Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week in his first season as head coach of the Trojans when they upset Carey High School 38-7 to end their 25-game winning streak.
Coach Ettinger's accomplishments extend far beyond the gridiron, as he also serves as the head coach for girls' varsity bowling in the winter, and girls' varsity lacrosse coach in the spring. His girls' lacrosse team is equally dominant, having achieved a #18 national ranking during the 2025 season after being ranked #1 overall in New York State in 2024. In the classroom, all three of his football, lacrosse and bowling teams have earned the prestigious distinction as NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Teams every single year that he has coached, with a team GPA of 90.00 or higher, and his athletes have a 100% high school graduation rate. In 2025 alone, he will be graduating 15 student-athletes with collegiate athletic scholarships, with 14 lacrosse athletes and 1 football athlete. Four of the 15 will be attending Ivy League schools. In total, over 40 of his former athletes have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, a direct reflection of his commitment to preparing students for success both athletically and academically.
Beyond his impact on his student-athletes, Coach Ettinger has also played a meaningful role in mentoring younger coaches throughout the Garden City district, serving as a steady, knowledgeable resource for those entering the profession. Whether offering guidance on practice planning, sharing strategies for building positive team culture, or helping new coaches navigate district expectations, he consistently leads with humility and a team-first mindset. His open-door approach invites questions, collaboration, and professional growth, allowing emerging coaches to learn not just the technical aspects of their sport, but also the importance of character, communication, and student-centered coaching. Through his mentorship, Coach Ettinger strengthens the entire athletics program, ensuring that Garden City's standards of excellence, integrity, and sportsmanship are carried forward by the next generation of leaders.
Ettinger also makes sure that his teams are rooted in their community, and their relationship with the Garden City Thunder youth football program is a key part of that mission. Each week throughout the season, their varsity players attend Thunder games, where they meet the young athletes, cheer them on, support their coaches, and serve as positive role models. This connection builds pride, unity, and a shared identity within their football community. Many current Trojan players share how those interactions with varsity athletes when they were Thunder players inspired them to work, dream, and eventually earn a spot on the Garden City High School team.
Ettinger exemplifies the same spirit of service through his dedicated volunteer work coaching Garden City High School Adapted Physical Education students at the Annual NYS Challenger Games, formerly known as the Games for the Physically Challenged. Going well beyond his responsibilities on the field, Coach Ettinger commits his time, energy, and expertise to supporting student-athletes of all abilities, creating an environment where inclusion, confidence, and personal achievement are the primary focus. His patience, encouragement, and genuine care help these students experience the joy of competition while building self-esteem, teamwork, and lifelong skills. Through his involvement, Coach Ettinger not only empowers his athletes but also reinforces Garden City's commitment to fostering meaningful opportunities for every student to participate, compete, and succeed.
He also gives back to the sports that he loves by dedicating his time and expertise to serving as a member of the Garden City Hall of Fame Selection Committee, Garden City Athletic Scholarship & Award Committee, Nassau County Football Committee, and the Nassau County Girls Lacrosse Executive Board. He has been honored many times over the years for his teams' accomplishments, but was most recently honored as the 2024 New York State Coaches Association's Class A Head Coach of the Year.
Ettinger is also a proud family man, and dedicated husband to his wife Dana, and loving father to his two daughters Emma and Amanda. Emma recently graduated from James Madison University as a cheerleader, and Amanda is currently a junior at the University of South Florida competing in Division I lacrosse. He is also a proud educator, and physical education teacher at Garden City High School. He has also been inducted into the Nassau County Athletic Hall of Fame.
"I am truly honored to receive recognition from the New York Giants," said Ettinger. "Football is the ultimate team sport, and no head coach achieves success alone. Every accomplishment comes from the dedication and hard work of our players, the expertise of an incredible group of assistants, the support of committed administrators, and the encouragement of a passionate community. My experiences playing alongside NFL coaches such as Raheem Morris, now head coach of the Falcons, and playing for Dan Quinn, former head coach of the Washington Football Team, have profoundly shaped my understanding of leadership, preparation, and the value of surrounding yourself with the right people—lessons I bring to every practice and game. At Garden City, I have been fortunate to work with coaches who share a commitment to preparation, discipline, and mentorship. Their guidance, along with the unwavering support of our administration and community, creates an environment where athletes can thrive both on and off the field. This recognition is as much theirs as it is mine. It underscores that true success is built collectively—through teamwork, collaboration, and shared purpose—and that the values instilled in our players extend far beyond the game. Ultimately, I hope this acknowledgment reflects not just my career, but the collective effort of everyone who has contributed to shaping a program that develops leaders, champions, and young men prepared for life."
2025 Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week Honorees Presented by Gatorade
Week 1 - Rob Bernier, Pascack Valley High School, Hillsdale, NJ
Week 2 - Zach Gobel, Averill Park High School, Averill Park, NY
Week 3 - Brendan Miller, Bridgeport Central High School, Bridgeport, CT
Week 4 - Joe Trongone, Clarkstown North High School, New City, NY
Week 5 - John Jacob, East Orange Campus High School, East Orange, NJ
Week 6 - Matty Jacowleff, Staples High School, Westport, CT
Week 7 - Jason Luciani, Butler High School, Butler, NJ
Week 8 - Ryon O'Connell, Peru High School, Peru, NY
Week 9 - Mike Seber, Neptune High School, Neptune, NJ
Week 10 - EJ DiNunzio, Wilton High School, Wilton, CT
Coach of the Year - Dave Ettinger, Garden City High School, Garden City, NY
