Holy Cross Football Coaching Staff
Head Coach ~ Mike Giampetruzzi '95
Mike Giampetruzzi will enter his second season as Head Coach of the Crusaders this fall and 16th season overall. Giampetruzzi took over as Defensive Coordinator in 2004 after a long stint as Offensive Line Coach and has remained the Defensive Coordinator ever since. Since that time, The Crusader Defense has been ranked in the top two in the Naugatuck Valley League as well as the top Defense in the Copper Division over the last four seasons. 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 an Assistant Principal 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 their son Robert John (R.J.).
Wide Receivers ~ Matt Smolley '05
Matt Smolley enters his 6th season as Recievers Coach after a successful career with the Crusaders from 2001-2004. Smolley, a 2005 graduate of Holy Cross, 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 and first playoff appearance since 1999. 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 Naugatuck Valley League over the past three seasons. Coach Smolley will also enter his fourth season as the Offensive Coordinator for the Junior Varsity Football team and 2nd season as the Passing Game Coordinator for the Varsity. Smolley currently attends Post University and resides in Wolcott.
Defensive Backs ~ Mike Harris '91
Mike Harris begins his 8th 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 15 in Interceptions during the past three seasons according to MaxPreps.com and has been among the tops in the Naugatuck Valley League since 2004 averaging nearly 14 interceptions per season. Coach Harris received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Nebraska, and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Administration. Harris also serves as the Head Girls Softball Coach in the spring at Holy Cross High School; He currently teaches History at Kennedy High School and resides in Waterbury.
Director of Athletics ~ Jerry Ciarleglio '72
Jerry Ciarleglio enters his 7th 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 while accumulating a career record of 73-45-1 and also capturing 2 Naugatuck Valley League Championships (1991, 1996). 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, their two daughters Sarah and Kate, and their two sons Christopher and Adam.
Offensive Coordinator ~ Mike Mannetti '98
Mike Mannetti enters his 10th season on the Crusaders Staff this fall as the Offensive Line Coach and 3rd season as the Offensive Coordinator. Mannetti was the Defensive Coordinator for the Freshmen Team from 2001-2003 before taking over the Offensive Line duties for the Varsity in 2004. Since that time, the Crusaders have been ranked in the top 15 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 started at Center and Defensive Tackle. 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 pursuing his Masters in Business Administration. Mannetti also serves as the Head Boys Track and Field Coach in the spring; He is currently the Director of Operations at Holy Cross High School and resides in Torrington with his wife Nicole and their daughter Gianna.
Defensive Line / Running Backs ~ Pete McCasland
Pete McCasland enters his 13th season on the Holy Cross Staff as the Defensive Line Coach, where he will work with a talented group of returning players. McCasland coached the Varsity line from 2001-2003 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 1996 Holy Cross team that won the NVL Championship; 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.
Head Freshmen Coach ~ Joe Marino '76
Joe Marino enters his 9th season on the Crusaders Coaching Staff and 7th as Head Freshmen Coach. Marino has been at the helm of the freshmen program since the 2004 season and has had much success with the incoming freshmen classes, with a record of 47-12. 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 both the offensive and defensive lines. 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 their two children Christopher and Alisa.
Athletic Trainer ~ Eric Lanese A.T.C.
