Interim Head Coach Named for Cheshire Rams Football

Cheshire High School Athletic Director Stephen Trifone announced late Friday that Don Drust has been named as Interim Head Coach of the Cheshire High School football team.

A statement released from the school district notes that a search for a permanent coach will take place in the fall after the football season ends. The statement reads:

• Trifone commented that this is not a reflection on Don Drust, but given the timing of the appointment, the administration and Mr. Drust agreed an interim appointment was appropriate."

Drust has served as an assistant coach since 2007, according to the district. He is an alumni of  Cheshire High School where he played football, the statement noted. 

Former head coach Mark Ecke resigned on May 21 after being suspended by the Cheshire School Board about two weeks earlier. The suspension followed a verbal altercation at a lacrosse game in Glastonbury in which Ecke's son was injured, according to a report in the New Haven Register.

Trifone reports that former Assistant Head Coach Richard Pulisciano will handle administrative functions for the program in the fall.  “These appointments provide continuity for the program and more important, continuity for the returning student-athletes," Trifone said in the statement.  "Don is very well organized, a great communicator and enthusiastic about the challenge that lies ahead. He has a strong understanding of the game of football," Trifone added.

The statement said that Drust and Trifone met on Friday with the football players to announce the decision.