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It is with great pleasure that we announce the recommendation of Mr. Michael DeFazio as the new Ramapo High School Head Football Coach. Coach DeFazio will join the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District with a passion and commitment to leadership, character, academics, and athletic excellence. Coach DeFazio is a northern New Jersey native from Morristown who attended the Delbarton School (‘02) and Columbia University (BA ‘06 & MS ‘09) where he played football and baseball.
Coach DeFazio comes to us from his alma mater, Columbia University, where he oversaw all recruiting efforts as the Director of Player Personnel for the college football program. Prior to that, he was the founding Head Football Coach and Head Baseball Coach at KIPP NYC College Prep High School located in the Bronx, NY where he also taught Physical Education. While at KIPP, he built two teams from the ground up and developed both programs into consistent playoff contenders and eventual NYC Champions. Coach DeFazio earned a B.A. in American Studies and M.S. in Sports Management from Columbia University, as well as a Masters in English language Education at RELAY Graduate School of Education.
Coach DeFazio was recognized as a 2019 National Finalist Double-Goal Coach Award Winner by the Positive Coaching Alliance, an organization founded at Stanford University committed to developing a positive culture in sports. He is passionate about developing young people for current and future success in life. Coach DeFazio values a commitment to developing young men of character and believes that sports are the best vehicle for this development.
The search process engaged key members of the Ramapo Football Community through focus group discussions that included current coaches and players, former coaches and players, and current Ramapo parents on the desired qualities and characteristics that would help guide the search and interview process. Coach DeFazio distinguished himself amongst highly competitive and experienced candidates through multiple rounds of intensive interviews. He impressed numerous committees throughout a comprehensive interview process, comprised of engaged stakeholders, including administrative team members, current Ramapo football coaches, Ramapo football alumni, and a representative from the school’s parent athletic organization. Coach DeFazio demonstrates successful experience as a head football coach with a winning track record. He has been praised for his detail-oriented work ethic, character, and focus on the importance of a positive culture and tradition synonymous with Ramapo football. Coach DeFazio has been recommended for Board approval at the Board of Education meeting scheduled for March 14, 2022.
“Ramapo High School is an outstanding school and I am honored to become a member of the team,” Coach DeFazio stated. “I extend my condolences to the Gibbs family and the Ramapo and FLOW communities. Drew Gibbs was a first-class educator and coach whom I had the privilege of learning from at clinics. My goal will be to continue to build upon the established success of the Ramapo Football program and hold our student-athletes to a championship standard on and off the field.”
Coach DeFazio will be meeting with our players, coaches, and parents in the coming days with a schedule that will be communicated. Please join us with a warm welcome for Coach DeFazio to the Ramapo Football Family.
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