Holy Cross Football Coaching Staff
Head Coach ~ Mike Phelan '89
Mike Phelan enters his 9th season at the helm for the Holy Cross Football Team. In his eight years as Head Coach, Phelan has had three playoff appearances and two state final appearances, including the school's first football state championship in 2006. Phelan currently holds the All-Time winning percentage amongst Holy Cross coaches. Coach Phelan played his high school football at Holy Cross as a Quarterback under coach Jim Shove, where he was the MVP of the 1988 season. Phelan received his Bachelor's Degree from Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts and his Master's Degree from the University of Bridgeport. Coach Phelan is a technology teacher at Holy Cross and is also the Head Baseball Coach for the Crusaders in the Spring. Phelan currently resides in Waterbury with his wife Laura.
Offensive Coordinator ~ Mike Mannetti '98
Mike Mannetti enters his 8th season on the Crusaders Staff this fall as the Offensive Line Coach and first as the Offensive Coordinator. Mannetti was the Defensive Coordinator for the Freshmen Team from 2001-2003 before taking over the Offensive Line duties in 2004. Since that time, the Crusaders have been ranked in the top ten in the state for rushing offense and total offense. Mannetti played his high school football at Holy Cross under Coach Jerry Ciarleglio as an All-State Offensive Lineman; where he was a part of the last NVL Championship Football team in 1996. Coach Mannetti received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Connecticut in Management and also a B.G.S. from Uconn in Corporate and Organizational Studies. He is currently working on his MBA at the University of Connecticut. Mannetti also serves as the Head Boys & Girls Track and Field Coach in the spring; He is currently the Operations Manager at Holy Cross and resides in Watertown with his wife Nicole.
Defensive Backs ~ Mike Harris '91
Mike Harris begins his 6th season as the Crusaders Defensive Backs Coach. Coach Harris has led a secondary group that has become an integeral part of the Holy Cross Defense. The Secondary was ranked in the top 10 in Interceptions during the past two seasons according to MaxPreps.com and has been among the tops in the Naugatuck Valley League since 2004. Coach Harris received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Nebraska, and is currently pursuing a Master's in Administration. Harris also serves as the Head Girls Softball Coach in the spring; He currently teaches History at Kennedy High School and resides in Waterbury.
Offensive/ Defensive Line ~ Pete McCasland '98
Pete McCasland enters his 11th season on the Holy Cross Staff, returning to the Varsity staff as a Defensive/ Offensive Line Coach. McCasland coached the Varsity line before taking the Defensive Coordinator job at the Freshmen level from 2004 thru 2007. McCasland has helped instill the rich tradition of Holy Cross Football both on and off the field during this time. McCasland played his high school football at Holy Cross under coach Jerry Ciarleglio as a Tight End/Offensive Lineman. He was part of the last Holy Cross team to win an NVL Championship in 1996; McCasland also serves as an Assistant Track & Field Coach in the spring. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education from Central Connecticut State University and is a History teacher at Kennedy High School in Waterbury. He is also completing his Masters Degree in Guidance from Western Connecticut State University. McCasland currently resides in Waterbury.
Director of Athletics ~ Jerry Ciarleglio '72
Jerry Ciarleglio enters his fifth year as Director of Athletics at Holy Cross following the long tenure of Mr. James Cunningham. Ciarleglio coached the Holy Cross Football Team from 1989-1999, where he enjoyed a successful tenure guiding the Crusaders to three state playoff appearances and one state championship appearance. Ciarleglio also coached at Holy Cross' sister school, Notre Dame-West Haven for 13 years before taking the Holy Cross job. Ciarleglio played his High School football at Holy Cross under coach Jim Harris Sr. where he played Quarterback. Ciarleglio received his Bachelor's Degree and his Master's Degree from Southern Connecticut State University in English. He currently resides in Waterbury with his wife Teresa, and their two daughters Sarah and Kate; two sons Christopher and Adam.
Defensive Coordinator ~ Mike Giampetruzzi '95
Mike Giampetruzzi enters his 14th season on the Crusaders' Staff. Giampetruzzi took over as Defensive Coordinator at Holy Cross in 2004 after a long stint as Offensive Line Coach. Since that time, The Crusader Defense has been ranked in the top two in the Naugatuck Valley League. Coach Giampetruzzi played his high school football as an All-City middle linebacker and captain for Coach Jerry Ciarleglio, and then went on to receive his Bachelor's Degree from Central Connecticut State University and his Master's in Health Education at Southern Connecticut State University. Giampetruzzi is the Director of Students at Holy Cross and also serves as the Health & Safety Advisor; as well as the heading up the off-season strength and conditioning program. He resides in Waterbury with his wife Daniela and son Robert John (R.J.).
Defensive Line ~ Brian Rush
Brian Rush enters his 3rd season on the Holy Cross Coaching Staff. Before coming on the Crusaders' staff, Rush coached the defensive linemen for a short time at Crosby High School. Rush will coach a Defensive Line for the third straight season that has been amongst the top in the NVL over the past four seasons. His Defensive Line has helped the Crusaders to the #2 Overall Defense in the NVL since 2006. The Crusaders are 18-4 overall since that time. Rush is currently employed with the Connecticut Corrections Department and resides in Waterbury with his wife Wanda and their three daughters who have attended Holy Cross; Mary, Anna, and Kristina.
Head Freshmen Coach ~ Joe Marino '76
Joe Marino enters his 7th season on the Crusaders Coaching Staff and fourth as Head Freshmen Coach. Marino has been at the helm of the freshmen program since the 2004 season and has had success with the incoming freshmen classes. Marino has helped install the winning, rich football tradition that surrounds Holy Cross both on and off the field. Marino played his high school football at Holy Cross under the school's first Head Coach Jim Harris Sr. where he had great success on the defensive line. Marino received his Bachelor's Degree from Western Connecticut State University and came to Holy Cross as a teacher/coach after 20+ years as a Connecticut Probation Officer. Marino is also the Head Freshmen Baseball Coach in the spring; He currently resides in Waterbury with his wife Donna and two children Christopher and Alisa.
Wide Receivers ~ Matt Smolley '05
Matt Smolley enters his fourth season as Recievers Coach after a successful career with the Crusaders. Smolley, a 2005 graduate of Holy Cross and Coach Phelan's program, was the top reciever in the Naugatuck Valley League during the 2004 season and helped the Crusaders' reach their third State Championship Final in school history. Smolley was a team captain and voted to the All-NVL team as a Reciever. Smolley coaches a talented group of recievers that have helped Holy Cross become one of the best Total Offenses' in the state over the past three seasons. Smolley currently attends Teikyo Post University and resides in Wolcott.
Athletic Trainer ~ Eric Lanese A.T.C.
