Sirico back for second stint as Warwick football coach

Greg Sirico admits missing coaching football over the years, stalking the sideline, barking out calls and plays under Friday night lights.

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By JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

recordonline.com

By JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

Posted Apr. 11, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

Posted Apr. 11, 2013 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

Greg Sirico admits missing coaching football over the years, stalking the sideline, barking out calls and plays under Friday night lights.

Especially after establishing himself at his alma mater, Warwick, where Sirico was successful for a decade. That's what made Wednesday so special for Sirico. In a meeting after school, Sirico announced to the team that he will return to lead the team this fall.

A Warwick graduate, Sirico is the school's winningest football coach, going 67-27 from 1996-2005. He replaces James Sciarra, who succeeded Sirico, and went 40-25 in seven seasons.

In January, Warwick superintendent Ray Bryant informed Sciarra that he wouldn't be recommended by the school to return for another year. Varsity coaching appointments are made on a year-to-year basis.

"I missed coaching, I missed the relationships with the students," Sirico said. "As an administrator, I still get to work with the student-athletes. But I missed coaching, where the relationships run deeper. Those types of things are hard to come by. I'm grateful for the opportunity and just want to promote the sport."

Sirico has been Warwick's athletic director since 2007. Due to budget cuts, he will likely split his full-time duties next year as part-time athletic director and a part-time teacher at Warwick High. Sirico last coached on the varsity level in '06, serving as an assistant with Monroe-Woodbury.

He is expected to be formally appointed as coach at a school board meeting in June. During his first run with Warwick, Sirico led the Wildcats to the Section 9 Class A title in 2000. Two years later, Warwick lost in the Class AA championship. Sirico was replaced by Sciarra in 2006 when he left to take the athletic director job at Nyack. However, after only a few weeks on the job, Sirico returned to Warwick as a teacher, and then athletic director.

"I think Greg is a great guy and a great coach," Minisink Valley coach Kevin Gallagher said. "James did a great job and so will Greg. He is so enthusiastic. I know the kids will play for him. It's going to be fun and tough to have him back."

Since he stopped coaching, Sirico has been an ambassador for Section 9 football. He is a past president of the New York State High School Football Coaches Association and now serves on the organization's executive board.

"My expectations are the same as before," Sirico said. "I want to add to the tradition of Warwick football. I know some people are doing good things in Section 9 football and we have to improve. I just want to get as many kids as I can in facemasks so they can take part in a wonderful sport. I'm certainly excited."