Dan DiStasi of Waldwick-Midland Park named New York Giants High School Coach of the Week

The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected Mr. Dan DiStasi of the Waldwick-Midland Park Warriors as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 2 of the 2024 season. The Warriors defeated the Rutherford Bulldogs 32-20 to give DiStasi a huge first career win as head coach on Friday in Waldwick. After taking over a program that finished 6-3 last season, and experienced just one losing season since 2012, DiStasi transitioned the team from a Wing-T to a Spread offense. Waldwick had 325 yards rushing on 45 attempts and the defense forced three turnovers against a Rutherford program that has won the last three NJIC championships and had not experience a single loss in the conference since Week 1 of the 2021 season (24 straight games).

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 DiStasi’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 2025 pre-season home game.

DiStasi earned the head coaching opportunity at Waldwick-Midland Park after serving as an assistant coach for the Elizabeth, Paramus Catholic, Ridgefield Park and Don Bosco high school football programs for the last 15 years. As a high school athlete he played under Dan Sabella at Bogota High School, helping to win the 2006 sectional championship as a center and defensive tackle, and has also contributed to championship seasons as a coach at Elizabeth and Paramus Catholic. Dan is a longtime teacher at Elizabeth High School. He and his wife Brianne are the proud parents of Anthony & Nicholas.