EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected Mr. Nasir Gaines of Malcolm X Shabazz High School (Newark, NJ) as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 10 of the 2026 season. The Bulldogs improved to 8-1 on the season with a 42-19 home victory over Wayne Valley in the quarterfinals of the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 playoffs on Friday night. As the No. 3 seed, Shabazz now advances to the sectional semifinals to face No. 2-seeded Cranford, which also holds an 8-1 record. The Bulldogs moved up to Group 3 this season after capturing a sectional championship in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 Tournament last year, while also advancing to the Group 2 State Championship Game.

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 Gaines' selection as Coach of the Week, a $2,000 grant from The Giants Foundation and Gatorade will be donated to the school's football program. He will also receive a certificate of recognition signed by Giants Head Coach John Harbaugh and will be honored at a postseason dinner and a 2027 preseason home game.

Coach Gaines was appointed head football coach at Shabazz in 2025 and has guided the program to a 20-3 record during his tenure. A lifelong member of the Newark football community, Gaines built his reputation by creating the nationally renowned Brick City Lions Pop Warner program, which captured multiple national championships while developing countless local student-athletes both on and off the field. After serving as an assistant coach at Malcolm X Shabazz High School, he inherited a program that had reached the NJSIAA Group 2 Championship Game and immediately focused on sustaining that success through player development, strengthening community relationships, and expanding college recruiting opportunities for his athletes.

"God makes no mistakes," said Coach Gaines.