East Rutherford, NJ – The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected Mr. Joe Spagnolo of the Iona Preparatory School Gaels (New Rochelle, N.Y.) as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 2 of the 2026 season. Spagnolo's Gaels traveled to JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY to face a Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse) team that entered the game with a 41-game win streak. Iona Prep earned an impressive 38-18 victory, showing that they were more than ready for the 2026 football season. The victory extended Iona Prep's winning streak to six games. The Gaels won their second consecutive New York Catholic High School Football League AAA Championship in 2025 with a 42-20 victory over Monsignor Farrell and defeated St. Francis 42-21 to win the New York State Catholic High School Football Championship the following week.
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 high school football, developing motivated student-athletes and contributing overall to their community.
In recognition of Coach Spagnolo'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.
Coach Spagnolo enters his tenth season as Head Football Coach of the Gaels. Since returning to Iona Prep, Coach Spagnolo has led the Gaels to an 85-21 record, including five consecutive appearances in the CHSFL AAA Championship Game and four CHSFL championships. He graduated from Iona Prep in 1998, where he was captain and QB of the 1997 football team. He went on to play QB at the collegiate level at both Siena and Bryant College. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in finance from Bryant College in 2002.
"I am truly honored and humbled to be named the New York Giants High School Football Coach of the Week," said Spagnolo. "I want to thank the New York Giants and the Mara Family for this incredible recognition and for their continued support of high school football. It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by an organization with such a rich tradition and impact on the game.
Most importantly, I want to thank my players, coaching staff, families, school administration, and the entire Iona Prep Football community. This recognition is a reflection of the hard work, commitment, and dedication of so many people who make our program special. I am extremely proud of our players and grateful for the opportunity to coach them, mentor them, and be part of their journey both on and off the field."
