HS football: Tony Garofalo steps down as Farrell’s head coach; defensive coordinator Rocco Del Priore will take over

Monsignor Farrell head varsity football coach Tony Garofalo has stepped down from his position and will be replaced by defensive coordinator and fellow alumnus Rocco Del Priore, Farrell president Lou Tobacco has announced.

Garofalo, a former two-time Advance All Star defensive lineman who graduated from Farrell in 1989, will not only remain as Director of Athletics and Student Wellness, but have an expanded role as well, according to Tobacco.

Del Priore, meanwhile, becomes Farrell’s sixth head coach after a long stint as an assistant at the Oakwood school, including the varsity’s defensive coordinator since 2015.

“Monsignor Farrell High School has built a lasting legacy of excellence in academics, athletics, and service to others which has been made possible by generations of strong leadership,” said Tobacco in announcing the transition at Monsignor Farrell. “And I am proud to announce that the leadership of Monsignor Farrell athletics and our football program continues to get stronger.

“As we introduce exciting strength, performance, and wellness programs to our faithful men, we are fortunate to have someone with the character and dedication of Mr. Anthony Garofalo to ensure that all students at Monsignor Farrell High School develop to their highest potential. While Tony takes on this meaningful responsibility, in true Monsignor Farrell tradition, alumnus Rocco Del Priore ‘05, after years of proving himself as an inspirational motivator, will lead our Monsignor Farrell Lions toward continued success on the field and in life.”

In addition to his highly productive playing days at Farrell, Garofalo was an assistant under legendary coach Ben Sarullo between 1994-2010. During that 17-year stint, the University of Rhode Island product served as both offensive and defensive coordinator. He was the Lions’ offensive line coach during their back-to-back CHSFL AAA championship seasons in 1999-2000.

After stepping away from the football program for a few years, he returned in 2014 as the freshman team’s head coach. A year later, he took over the varsity reins and compiled a 35-26 record in seven seasons, including a trip to the CHSFL AAA semifinals in 2016 and a memorable run to the AAA championship game last season.

The Lions were ranked in the state’s Top 10 during the regular season on three occasions (2016, 2018, and 2021).

“Not only was Tony a terrific “Xs and Os” football coach, he set the bar as a player, alumnus, teacher, and parent, serving as a role model for the school motto: Vir Fidelis, a Faithful Man,” noted Farrell principal Larry Musanti.

In his expanded role of Director of Athletics and Student Wellness, Garofalo will continue to oversee all CHSAA sports teams at the school, and will manage the build-out of facilities and additional resources committed by the school to programs of strength, performance, and total wellness for all students.

Over the past two years, Monsignor Farrell’s administration has invested a tremendous amount of resources into a new Performance and Wellness program including: a complete renovation of training facilities, purchasing new state-of the-art equipment, and hiring a strength and conditioning professional with Division I college training and experience. Garofalo has been integral in guiding and implementing these game-changing advancements and will continue to manage the process of raising the bar of performance for Monsignor Farrell athletics. Included in future advancements planned for the school which Garofalo will manage is the construction of a field house which was outlined in the school’s multi-year capital campaign and strategic plan.

“A heartfelt thank you to everyone in the Monsignor Farrell Family who helped make my tenure as head coach such a meaningful and enjoyable experience,” said Garofalo. “I’ve worked side-by-side with so many great people over the years and I know that will certainly continue in my expanded role. The support I received from Bishop Whalen, Lou Tobacco and Larry Musanti has been amazing.

“To my parent coordinators and the many, many volunteers — your hard work is so meaningful and has directly made a positive impact on our program. I also thank my assistant coaches who are selfless men and work tirelessly on behalf of our players. Also, thank you to my family for allowing me to do what I love to do for so long.”

Defensive coordinator Del Priore promoted

The transition of taking over Farrell’s varsity football team should be a relatively easy one for the 34-year-old Del Priore, who has already been a fixture in the Oakwood school’s program for a number of years.

For starters, he was a two-year varsity starter at nose tackle for the Lions and helped them reach the CHSFL AAA championship game during in 2003-04 seasons.

The Great Kills resident, who graduated with a bachelor of science degree in physical eduction from Brooklyn College, returned to Farrell a year after graduating and served as the offensive line coach for the program’s freshman team.

Since that first season in 2006, Del Priore has held a number of positions in the program, including head coach for both the freshman and junior varsity teams. He joined the varsity as defensive line coach in 2011 and was elevated to defensive coordinator during Garofalo’s first varsity season in 2015.

“We are more than thrilled to have Rocco lead our storied football program,” said Tobacco, who is a 1990 graduate of Farrell. “Not only is he held in high regard by his colleagues, but he is also revered by our student-athletes and youth football programs across Staten Island,”

In addition to Del Priore’s duties as the Lions’ defensive coordinator, he has spent countless hours working with youth football leagues on Staten Island, lending his expertise to clinics and camps. He also serves as Farrell’s summer football camp director.

“Rocco continues in the tradition of the Barrett/Sarullo coaching tree,” said Musanti, who has been at the Oakwood school for over 50 years. “He has been an integral part of the Monsignor Farrell football family for over 20 years as a player and a coach and brings a passion and commitment to the coaching position which is sure to be reflected by his players both on the field and in the classroom.’’

Garofalo completely endorsed Del Priore as his replacement.

“There is not a better man to lead our program going forward,” said Garofalo, the 1988 Al Fabbri Award winner as Staten Island’s top football player. “His passion and love for Monsignor Farrell and Monsignor Farrell Football cannot be matched.’’

Del Priore, who also holds a master’s degree in Kinesiology from Brooklyn College, is currently a physical education teacher and the girls’ flag football head coach at New Dorp HS. He and his wife, Gabrielle, have three children.

Needless to say, Del Priore is elated over being named to such a prestigious position.

“Some dream to become an astronaut, others to play centerfield for the New York Yankees. My dream was to become the head football coach at Monsignor Farrell High School — Vir Fidelis,’’ said the Great Kills resident.

“Many great men have prepared me to become the head football coach at Monsignor Farrell, but no one more than Coach Garofalo,” he added. “From my days as a player to most recently being his defensive coordinator, coach (Garofalo) has empowered me to become not only a better coach but a better father and husband too.’’

Del Priore already knows the opponents he’ll face during his first season. Late last week, the CHSFL announced the league’s 2022 schedule, which can be viewed by clicking here.