The Giants Foundation and Gatorade to contribute $2,000 to the football program.
East Rutherford, NJ – The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected Mr. Mark Ingram of Newark Central High School (Newark, NJ) as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 3 of the 2024 season. The Blue Devils defeated Glen Ridge last Saturday 36-14 to remain undefeated at 3-0. Newark Central had an impressive 394 yards rushing on 40 carries, along with four rushing touchdowns to continue their impressive winning streak.
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 Ingram'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.
Coach Ingram, who played high school football as a receiver and safety at nearby Weequahic, took over as head coach of Newark Central in October of 2021 after serving as an assistant for nine seasons. In his first game as head coach, the Blue Devils ended a 15-game losing streak with a 40-0 victory over Newark Collegiate. The team went 2-3 under his leadership in 2021, followed by a 3-7 record in 2022, and then in 2023, they achieved their first winning season since 2014 with a 5-4 record. With a 3-0 record to begin the 2024 campaign, the Blue Devils hope to once again finish with a winning record, and compete for a spot in the playoffs. Central is currently on a 5 Game winning streak dating to back to last season.
