If you have been driving through New Rochelle, or live in New Rochelle, then you have seen signs around supporting Coach “Di”. At yesterday’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, his support was so evident with so many students, parents all wearing “We support Coach Di’ t-shirts and sweat shirts. Who is Coach “DI?”
I can only speak from what I know of him. My middle son, AJ. was on the Freshman football team back in 1996. His coach was Coach Guccione and he was a great coach too. Every player respected, adored and revered Coach Di then and now. I have been trying to find the years and dates, for Coach Lou Di Rienzo had a winning history for the Huguenots Football team but left for 4 years. His successor was a good coach, but he wasn’t Coach Di. Coach Di returned to New Rochelle and the rest is football history.
“DiRienzo has guided the New Rochelle football team to 13 Section 1 titles, reached the state finals six times and won championships in 2003 and 2012. This year’s New Rochelle team is currently 6-0 and favored to extend its streak of four Section 1 Class AA titles.”
He was inducted into the Westchester Sports Hall of Fame in October this year.
He is revered by the football team, the parents, and New Rochelle. He is a mentor. The community is very upset at his reassignment after he allowed a distant family member to leave the school with her parent supposedly not following protocol. The general feeling is that the event should have been handled in a private manner, and not publicly.
Coach Di has not been allowed to coach the last two games but New Rochelle’s heart is there to win… and win they did last night
The New Rochelle Huguenots won the semi final State Championship 24-17 last night against Shenendehowa in Middletown, New York. The Section V Championship game will be held on Saturday , November 30th against Aquinas. It is hoped that after a hearing this week, Coach Di will be re-instated.
New Rochelle is behind Coach Di.
New Rochelle is GREAT!
