East Rutherford, NJ – The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected Mr. EJ DiNunzio of Wilton High School (Wilton, C.T.) as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 10 of the 2025 season. The Wilton Warriors improved to 7-0 with a 49-28 victory over the Warde Mustangs. The win was the program's seventh straight victory on the road, and their fifth victory this season by a margin of 21 points or more. The Warriors have faced a difficult schedule with poise and confidence, handing the first loss of the season to the first five opponents they faced. They hope to build on their strong start with equally challenging games ahead against Greenwich (6-1), St. Joseph (5-2), and James Hillhouse High School (2-4).
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 DiNunzio'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 a 2026 pre-season home game.
DiNunzio has served as head coach at Wilton for seven seasons and has an impressive career record of 50-22 in that time. He has previously worked with the Eastchester, Lincoln, and New Rochelle high school programs. Coach DiNunzio worked on the staff of New Rochelle Coach Louis DiRienzo who won two state championships and the New York State Section 1 AA championship nine times. DiNunzio was born and raised in Westchester County and was an All-State performer and Athlete of the Year in both his Junior and Senior years at Eastchester High School. "Coach D" also serves as a coach with Wilton Baseball.
"I would like to thank the New York Giants for this recognition," said DiNunzio. "It has been a privilege to serve as Head Football Coach at Wilton High School for the last seven years. This award would not be possible without the patience and support of my loving wife Janette who calls herself a "football widow" from June through January. The award also does not happen without the selflessness of the other 13 coaches that I work shoulder to shoulder with every day for 6 months. My staff is made up of men of high character, well respected throughout our community, who coach and teach the Wilton student athletes with respect and passion. This award does not happen without these coaches who have grinded with me all year long, including a few who are no longer on the staff but have left their mark on this program. Tom Dexter, Quin Silva, Mark McAndrews, Jeff Herlyn, Matt McGoldrick, Bob Anderson, Scott Droukas, Ryan Felipe, Dave Lowry, Ron Lienhardt, Kevin Paradis, Anthony Cesarini, Michael Cesarini, Chuck Bellino, Tommy Ferrell, Alex Bleier, Zack Citro and Ray Tuccitto. Also, a giant thank you to all the coaches in our youth program who do a great job getting our young men prepared for high school football. I would also like to thank all the exceptional coaches we have in CT, especially in the FCIAC, who push me to be the best version of myself. Lastly, thank you to the Wilton High School
administration, especially Chris Mcdougal and Bobby Rushton, for giving me the opportunity to coach all the special athletes that have come through this program in the last seven years."
