The Giants Foundation and Gatorade to contribute $4,000 to football program.
East Rutherford, N.J. – The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected Mr. Dave Hogan of Chenango Forks High School (Binghamton, NY) as the 2024 Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Year. Coach Hogan's commitment to his student-athletes, his community and his unique love for the game of football has led to unimaginable track record of success for the Chenango Forks Blue Devils football. In 17 seasons as head coach, Hogan's teams have achieved an unbelievable 172-23 record, with 5 state titles, and 12 Section IV titles – all at a school with approximately 100 students per graduating class. Hogan has coached five New York State Player of the Year honorees (4 in Class C and 1 in Class B) and has also been named New York State Coach of the Year five times (4 Class C and 1 Class B).
In 2024, the Blue Devils went 11-2 and defeated annual powerhouse, and defending Class C Champion, Waverly, to win their 23rd section title in one of the most memorable games in Section IV history. That thrilling victory included nine lead changes and go-ahead scores from both teams in the final 50 seconds, with Chenango Forks scoring with 11 seconds remaining to win 38-35. They went on to win the quarterfinal match with General Brown 42-7, advancing to their program's 17th final four matchup since 2001, which they ultimately lost to #1 seed Salamanca by a score of 34-13.
The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Year 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 (N.J.) coach, Lou Rettino, for his fine commitment to the game of football, his community and the betterment of his athletes' lives. The Giants also select a Coach of the Week during the first ten weeks of the high school football season. 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 Hogan's selection as Coach of the Year, a $4,000 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. Hogan will also be the Giants' nominee for the NFL's Don Shula NFC High School Coach of the Year Award, and will receive $1,000 from the NFL Foundation.
Hogan joined the Chenango Forks football program as an assistant coach in 1996 under Kelsey Green, and helped a group of dedicated coaches pour into the program, making strides every season. A football team that had never won a state championship eventually began a string of dominant seasons in 2001 that has since resulted in a 245-28 cumulative record, 13 appearances in the state championship game and 7 state titles. The Blue Devils were runner-up for the state title in 2001 and 2002 with back-to-back 12-1 seasons, before winning their first state titles in 2003 and 2004 with 13-0 records. After losing state title matches in 2005 and 2007 with 12-1 records, Hogan took over as head coach of the program in 2008.
With Hogan as head coach, Chenango Forks would win Section IV titles in 2009, 2010 and 2012 but fell short of the state title each year. That changed in 2013, when the Blue Devils would go on to win three straight Class C State Titles in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Chenango Forks moved up to Class B in 2016 to play larger schools and went 12-1 in 2016 and 2017, losing in the state championship game both years. In 2018 they went 10-1, failing to make the championship game, but returned to win it all once again in 2019 with a 13-0 season. They were 6-0 in 2020 with a season abbreviated by COVID, and had a point differential of 237-27. Hogan once again led his team to a State Championship in 2021 with a 12-1 record. The Blue Devils went 9-2 in 2022 losing in the playoffs, and in 2023 had their first four-loss season at 6-4 since 1997, but still advanced to their Section Title championship game, losing to eventual Class C State Champion Waverly. In fact, three of their four losses came at the hands of eventual New York State championship game participants.
Hogan has also made sure to support and grow the game of football throughout his region of Upstate New York. To this end, he has organized and hosted the Section 4 Seven-on-Seven Tournament and lineman challenge for approximately 20 schools at Chenango Forks High School every summer for the past decade. He added an annual college recruitment fair as part of the event for approximately 12 colleges to see these athletes in action. Hogan and his staff also oversee the New York State High School Football Coaches Association's annual lineman challenge at Cortland University each year for approximately 30 participating teams.
Hogan is also proud to have his football team involved in the local community. The Blue Devils proudly raise money for one cause each year at a home game, and this year they supported our First Responders, and recognized them at halftime, while donating proceeds to them by selling t-shirts and other memorabilia. Prior fundraisers have gone towards cancer, mental health and other local charities. The team has also done yard work for senior citizens, visited nursing homes, cleaned horse stables for a program that serves kids with special needs, and delivers the annual Christmas baskets, created by the school's students, to the local fire house for distribution to local families.
Hogan played quarterback in high school at nearby Windsor, NY while also wrestling and playing baseball before attending SUNY Cortland, where he has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education, a Master of Science Degree in Health Education, and school district administrator certificate. He has been employed by the Chenango Forks School District since 1995. He has worked as a physical education teacher, a coach, and has served as the Director of Physical Education and Athletics since 2007. Mr. Hogan is passionate about his commitment to the education and well-being of the students at Chenango Forks. He is also proud to serve as a member of the Section 4 Football Committee.
2024 Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week Honorees Presented by Gatorade
Week 1 - Brandon Jubrey, Northwest Catholic High School, West Hartford, CT
Week 2 - Dan DiStasi, Waldwick-Midland Park Warriors, Waldwick, NJ
Week 3 - Mark Ingram, Newark Central, Newark, NJ
Week 4 - John Tierney, Pinelands Regional High School, Little Egg Harbor Twp, NJ
Week 5 - Matt Demarest, Passaic County Technical Institute, Wayne, NJ
Week 6 - Rob Fleeting, Windsor High School, Windsor, CT
Week 7 - Rob Gogerty, Cedar Grove High School, Cedar Grove, NJ
Week 8 - Bryan Gallagher, Morris Knolls High School, Rockaway, NJ
Week 9 - Jason Miller, Waverly High School, Waverly, NY
Week 10 - John Acquavita, Newington High School, Newington, CT
COY – Dave Hogan, Chenango Forks High School, Binghamton, NY
