This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
02/08/2017 11:00 PMNick Gargano is an East Haven High School graduate who played football and wrestling throughout his four years as a Yellowjacket. Since coming back home after attending the University of Rhode Island, Nick has coached in some capacity in town for the past 13 years. For the last four years, he’s been the head coach of the Joseph Melillo Middle School wrestling team.
“I just wanted to give back. I know that sounds kind of gimmicky, but it’s really true. Even when I was in high school, I was good at seeing the big picture, the Xs and Os of the game. I had a lot to give back,” says Nick, 34. “To be honest, when I was in high school, I always thought about how cool it’d be to coach football and wrestling in the town I grew up in. Now that I have the opportunity to do that and continue to do it, I couldn’t ask for anything else. Nothing is better than to coach where you’re from.”
Nick says he liked football more than wrestling when he was a competitor, but right now, the two sports are neck and neck on his list. Four years ago, Nick took the reins as head coach of the middle school wrestling squad and has since turned around the program. As a result, Nick’s interest in wrestling has really grown in recent years.
“Growing up, I was more of a football guy. Now, I have to say they’re both together with what I love to do,” says Nick. “This is my fourth year with the middle school wrestling team. Before I started, they had very poor numbers and were thinking of canceling the program. Now we’re up to two to 30 kids and we’ve gotten better. Last year at the Big E tournament, we were third and, this year, we finished fourth. It’s growing and becoming a good thing.”
Nick feels thankful for all the help he’s received from his fellow East Haven wrestling coaches. He knows that their expertise and effort are playing a huge hand in the sport’s growth in town.
“My assistant coach Mark Defrancesco has been such an asset. He volunteered and is my right hand man. The fact that he’s always there and has worked as hard as he does is a tremendous help,” says Nick. “[High school wrestling Head Coach Lou Rivellini and assistant Mark Tolla] haven also been a tremendous help. We talk on a daily basis and they help a lot with certain techniques they want me to teach and, when I need something, they’re there to help. They’re very good guys.”
Nick’s passion for wrestling continues to flourish every day. One of the biggest reasons is that he’s working with kids who are enjoyable to be around and are also receptive to what he teaches them.
“It’s hard to explain. Every minute of practice, meet, or game, it’s a privilege to be there. It means a lot more to me than I can explain. I’ve had the privilege to be around some great young men,” says Nick. “I always tell my kids something I’ve always done. I give them three rules and this is what they need to live by: family, school, and athletics. When you’re on the mat or the field, you need to fight for everything that you can get. Never give up anything easy. Make people earn it. Just work as hard as you can work until you can’t anymore. That’s been the mantra for our football teams and wrestling teams the last few years.”
East Haven Athletic Director Anthony Verderame says he’s impressed with Nick’s work ethic, as well as the way he mentors his athletes.
“Nick Gargano has been an instrumental figure within our athletic community. Coach Gargano has been instrumental in developing our middle school wrestling and youth football programs within East Haven,” says Verderame. “He is a true gentleman and has earned the respect of young athletes and trust of our parents. We are truly fortunate to have him working with our kids.”
Nick has coached in East Haven’s Youth Football program since he was 21 and also spent time as a varsity assistant at the high school. As a former lineman, Nick knows that area is his specialty, but he’s become a better all-around coach as a result of taking bits and pieces from everyone he’s worked with on the gridiron.
“I love teaching kids how to play offensive line, but I had the privilege of being around some talented coaches,” says Nick. “I picked up things from [former high school head coaches Rusty Dunne, Mike Marone, and Anthony Lucibello]. A lot of that helped me learn to teach the skill players how to play right.”
As important as it is to teach the kids proper technique, Nick is a motivator first and foremost, and he knows what to do to get the most out of the boys he coaches in both sports.
“I’m not much of a yeller, not a ra-ra guy, but I’ll tell the kids to go out there, do your job, work as hard as you can, and give a perfect effort,” says Nick. “If they buy in, it’s a beautiful thing to watch. When they see it works, they buy in, and believe it’s a great thing and there’s nothing better than that.”