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East Rutherford, NJ – The New York Giants have selected Mr. Chuck Donohue of Southern Regional High School (Manahawkin, NJ) as "The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week" for the week of October 1, 2007. Coach Donohue led Southern Regional to a thrilling 14-6 victory over ranked Toms River East to improve to 4-0 for the first time since 1974.
In recognition of Coach Donohue's success and commitment, he will receive a certificate of recognition signed by the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL Director of Football Operations Gene Washington, and the Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin. A $1,000 check will be granted to the Southern Regional High School football program. Coach Donohue will be acknowledged by a stadium announcement when the Giants host the San Francisco 49ers on October 21st. An announcement will also be posted on the Giants web site, www.giants.com.
The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week Award, started in 1996, is part of the Giants' continuing effort to promote youth football. 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 2007 high school football season, the Giants will select 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. At the conclusion of the 2007 season, the Giants will choose a Coach of the Year. That coach will receive $2,000 for their school's football program.
Coach Donohue is in his 10th season as Head Football Coach at Southern Regional, and has been coaching football for 37 years. His career record is 190-134-1. He has coached at four different high schools in New Jersey and has led all four teams to the New Jersey state playoffs. He began his coaching career in 1971 at St. Joseph High School in Hammonton, NJ, where he coached until 1980. From 1981-1985 he coached at Haddon Heights High School, before coaching at Buena Regional High School from 1986-1997. Overall, his teams have made 15 playoff appearances, and won 2 state championships.
Southern Regional's upset victory over Toms River, arguably the biggest win in school history, was the result of a hard-working group of coaches and players who gave a total team effort. Whenever a big play was needed, Southern Regional came up with one, and the entire team is intent on maintaining their focus and continuing to play hard and smart.
Coach Donohue played defensive back at Glassboro State, now known as Rowan University. A physical education teacher at Southern Regional, he and his wife, Violet, are the proud parents of three children: Chuck, Jr., who coaches the offensive line at Southern Regional; Alon, his daughter works in New York City, and Jim, who works in Philadelphia.
