By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT–The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected Staples High Football Coach Matty Jacowleff as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 6. The Giants Foundation and Gatorade will contribute $2,000 to the Wrecker football program as part of this prestigious recognition.

The Wreckers defeated Darien 31-6 and improved to 4-0 in Jacowleff’s inaugural campaign as head coach. This marked the first victory for Staples over Darien in 13 years, in the first meeting between the teams since 2018.

Jacowleff said this recognition is a product of a collaborative effort.

“Truly tremendous honor that is reflective of the hard work, fire and passion of so many people throughout our program and the community. I am beyond honored to be any small part of this special Staples football program and so appreciative of the New York Giants for taking time to recognize us,” he said.

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 named 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 select one area high school head coach each week throughout the high school football season. The selection is based on the coach’s continuing commitment toward promoting youth football, developing motivated student-athletes and contributing overall to the community.

The Staples coach will 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 at a 2026 preseason home game.

Jacowleff, who became the 15th head coach of the Wreckers this year, was named the FCIAC Assistant Coach of the Year in 2022 and has earned four State Championships throughout his coaching career. He previously served as offensive coordinator, and wide receiver and defensive back coach at Staples.

“I am sincerely honored by this tremendous recognition from the New York Giants,” Jacowleff said. “I am incredibly blessed to be any small piece of the Staples High School Football program and have the opportunity to serve our students every single day. Within our program we preach the importance of fire and passion, this award is a tribute to the fire and passion of so many. For the Giants to honor us in this way means the world to our community.” 

A proud alumnus of Staples High School, Jacowleff was the captain of the 2014 football team and played linebacker for the Wreckers. After high school, he earned a Business degree from Northeastern University and a Master’s in Education from Fairfield University. He currently resides in Westport and teaches Special Education at Staples.

Westport Journal’s recent Wreckers football coverage

• Staples football demolishes Darien 31-6
• Wreckers beat West Haven with last-second field goal
• Staples stomps Stamford 49-6
• Wreckers defeat Glastonbury 17-3 in opener

Andy Hutchison

^{_{Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories, since the 1990s. He is the sports editor at the Newtown Bee. He writes for the Monroe Sun. He was director of communications and radio color commentator for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (now Islanders) hockey team. He has won numerous writing awards, including regional and national first-place honors.}}