East Rutherford, NJ – The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected Mr. Daniel DeMatteo of the Yonkers Force (Yonkers, NY) as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 1 of the 2020 season. Coach Daniel Dematteo is in his 17th season as Head Coach of the Gorton Wolves and his 3rd season as Head Coach of the Yonkers Force.

The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week Award is part of the Giants' continuing effort to support local youth 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 his overall community involvement.   

In recognition of Coach DeMatteo'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 NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Giants head coach Joe Judge.

The Yonkers Force is a merged football program made up of students from Gorton, Roosevelt, YMA and Yonkers High and seeks to build a bridge between law enforcement and Yonkers's community by teaming up with the Yonkers Police Department. DeMatteo is at the core of this program as he organizes weekly dinners and community events with players and law enforcement and ensures that every player from the four schools has daily transportation to practices and back home. DeMatteo commented "We are creating a legitimate relationship with law enforcement, it's not about choosing sides, we are meeting in the middle, football is our common ground. It's been an honor to watch this relationship develop from the very first interaction where no one knew what to expect, to the connection we have now. The journey of the Yonkers Force, including the intimate day-to-day interactions between the team's players and the Yonkers Police Department, has been chronicled in a short film scheduled for release in 2020. We are changing lives."

Aside from football, DeMatteo provides members of the football team with opportunities for academic tutoring, regents examination review and SAT/ACT preparation. DeMatteo strives to create the brightest future for his athletes by coordinating meetings for his students with college recruiters and hosting guest speakers to educate students and help them prepare for what's next.

James Rose, Yonkers Athletic Director, commented "The Yonkers Public Schools athletic program has been fortunate to have Coach DeMatteo Leading our football program for the past 17 years. He is a great leader and role model, who strives for what is best for the Yonkers athletes"