A good coach will teach his team all the skills and techniques necessary to excel at their respective sport. A great coach will do all of this, and inspire those student-athletes even more. A great coach is a mentor both on and off the field, and derives pure joy and excitement in watching his players succeed, both in the heat of battle and in that oh-so precious tournament of life. Here are those Long Island high school coaches that do just that, every single day, and every single game, and then, much, much more. They are truly The Best!
2024: Long Island Voted TJ Pecoraro – Beast Baseball Academy Best High School Sports Coach!
TJ Pecoraro – Beast Baseball Academy
1815 E Jericho Turnpike, Huntington
(631) 707-2045 – beastlongisland.com
TJ Pecoraro emerges as the epitome of coaching excellence, leading the charge at Beast Baseball Academy in Huntington. With an unwavering commitment to fostering both athletic prowess and personal growth, he cultivates a culture where young athletes not only excel on the field but also develop essential life values. Under Pecoraro’s guidance, players thrive within a supportive environment that emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and resilience. Beyond honing their skills, his mentorship instills qualities that extend far beyond the diamond, preparing them for success in all facets of life. TJ Pecoraro stands as a beacon of inspiration, shaping the next generation of champions on Long Island.
2023: Long Islanders Voted Tom Catapano / Baldwin HS Best High School Sports Coach!
Tom Catapano / Baldwin HS
841 Ethel T Kloberg Dr, Baldwin
(516) 434-6100 – baldwinschools.org
Tom Catapano, a Baldwin High School coach of Girls Varsity Basketball, has coached the Baldwin Lady Bruins as they won the 2018 New York State Championship, advancing the team to the Federation Games, to take home their first Federation win. Mr. Catapano strives to bring out the best in every player and has the highest expectations for his players and students when it comes to academics, athletics, and personal attributes. He has been a teacher and coach with the Baldwin School District since 2010 and has won championships in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
2022: Long Islanders Voted Shane Helfner Best High School Sports Coach!
Shane Helfner- Paul D. Schreiber High School
390 North Country Rd, Saint James
631-334-9923 – portnet.org
In addition to being a top notch band director, Shane Helfner has led the Paul D. Schreiber High School girls tennis team to victory on many occasions. Under the guidance of Helfner, the Vikings had an undefeated season in 2019 and ultimately helped the team earn its second Long Island championship in the past three years, defeating Westhampton that season. His players make their way to the top spots in competition every year, with two of his players earning New York State Champion spots in 2021 NYS Girls Tennis Doubles. Helfner is a supportive coach both on and off the court.
2021: Long Islanders Voted Liam Doughty – Rowing – The Knox School Best High School Sports Coach!
Liam Doughty – Rowing – The Knox School
541 Long Beach Rd, Saint James
(631) 686-1600 – knoxschool.org
Coach Doughty is no stranger to success. While coaching rowing at Long Island’s prestigious Knox School, he has had students break multiple world records thanks to his dedicated leadership. Coach Doughty has revitalized the crew program and earned the respect of the entire student body. Other teachers describe the coach as “innovative, ambitious, and an out-of-the-box thinker.” He is known for connecting so well with students that they want to do well. Coach Doughty’s teams have brought home two consecutive New York State Championships. And he has recently been invited to become the program director for the Knox School’s summer program. Coach Liam Doughty is “the real deal who has made an impact on the energy of the entire school”.
2020: Long Islanders Voted Jamie Fishlow / Tennis – Huntington High School Best High School Sports Coach on Long Island!
Jamie Fishlow / Tennis – Huntington High School
188 Oakwood Rd, Huntington
(631) 673-2018 – hufsd.edu
For more than two decades, Jamie Fishlow has been at the helm of Huntington High School’s boys and girls varsity tennis programs. As head varsity coach, he helps every player reach their potential through hard work and dedication. His commitment to winning has allowed many of his players to go all the way – most recently Jack Flores who won the Suffolk Individual Title in 2018 under Fishlow’s mentorship as a sophomore and was also ranked the top seed that same year. Fishlow constantly works to ensure his teams can easily contend with the best of them.
2019: Long Islanders Voted John Calabria – Lacrosse, Syosset HS Best High School Sports Coach on Long Island!
John Calabria – Lacrosse, Syosset HS
70 S. Woods Road, Syosset
John Calabria began his lacrosse playing career at Sachem High School where he achieved All County Honors playing attack. From there he received a full athletic scholarship for lacrosse to attend Adelphi University where he was awarded (ALL-AMERICAN) Honors, helping Adelphi win the Division II College National Championship in 1993 and also awarded Team MVP. Coach Calabria is a Social Studies teacher at Syosset High School giving him a good perspective of the young student-athlete’s ability to understand and internalize all phases of the game. He has coached and played lacrosse at both the high school and college levels. Coach Calabria stated he has always looked for the following things from his coaches; love of the game, high lacrosse IQ, strong work ethic, and professional mannerisms with an understanding that as a coach, you must value the whole experience that your players are experiencing, in the classroom and on the field.
2018: Long Islanders Voted Ralph Carusillo Best High School Sports Coach on Long Island!
Ralph Carusillo / Head Football Coach / St. John the Baptist
1170 Montauk Hwy. West Islip – www.stjohnthebaptistdhs.net
An alum of St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School, Ralph Carusillo returned to his alma mater in 2003 as a social studies teacher after graduating from Nyack College. He served as a Position Coach for the Varsity football team for two years before being named Head Coach of the JV Program, a position he held for seven years. For the previous two years he has worked as the Offensive Coordinator for the Varsity squad. In 2014, Carusillo was named as Head Coach of the Varsity Football Team. Carusillo coached the Long Island Senior Bowl Team and, in 2012, was inducted into the CHSFL Board of Governors. He was also inducted in Nyack College’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.
2017: Long Islanders Voted Kimberly Becvar-Valdemira Best High School Sports Coach on Long Island
Kimberly Becvar-Valdemira
Tooker Avenue Elementary, 855 Tooker Ave., West Babylon. kvaldemira@wbschools.org
Kimberly Becvar-Valdemira, author of the book “Education Reboot: Yes, You Can Have Fun in the Classroom,” brings a unique spirit and infectious enthusiasm to West Babylon School District. This special education teacher also works as the bowling coach. She has led her team with an unmatched instinct for teaching kids to knock down the pins, fearing no 7-10 splits! Her team is like a family–supporting each other through the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, earning her the prized title of Best High School Coach on Long Island!
2016: Long Islanders Voted Bob Hartranft Best High School Sports Coach on Long Island
Bob Hartranft, Lacrosse – Farmingdale High School
150 Lincoln St., Farmingdale. 516-752-6600. farmingdaleschools.org/Domain/8
National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee Bob Hartranft has led the Farmingdale Lacrosse program to tremendous victory. His 47 season career (so far) has brought Farmingdale 694 wins, including the New York State championship in 2011. Inducted this November into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, perhaps the most surprising thing about Coach Hartranft’s illustrious career is that he was never a lacrosse player! This self-described baseball/basketball guy simply took the coaching position available to him, learned the sport, and the rest is Farmingdale history!
2015: Long Islanders Voted Dom Tassone of Holy Trinity H.S. Best High School Sports Coach on Long Island!
Dom Tassone – Basketball – Holy Trinity H.S.
98 Cherry Ln., Hicksville. 516-433-2900. holytrinityhs.echalk.com
Basketball coach Dom Tassone is a beloved fixture in Long Island sports, leading the Holy Trinity Titans to victory over Xavier in the CHSAA Class A State Final Championship. But it’s more than the win that has secured his rightful place at the top of this prestigious list. Coach Tassone inspires his flock to reach within themselves to find their very best, to support their teammates, and to prevail, no matter what. Priceless life lessons that will stay with them long after high school sports are but a memory!
