Giants Name Pinelands Football Coach High School Coach Of The Week

LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ — The New York Giants and Gatorade have selected John Tierney of Pinelands Regional High School as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 4 of the 2024 season, according to a news release.

Here's why he was picked, according to the Giants:

The Wildcats (1-2) had one of the biggest wins of the week, defeating the previously unbeaten Lakewood Piners (3-1) by a score of 42-16 at Pinelands High School on Friday night. The victory ended Pinelands' five game losing streak going back to last season, while snapping Lakewood's five game winning streak. Pinelands balanced offense put up 220 passing yards and 230 rushing yards while the defense was able to successfully hold Lakewood's dominant rusher, Rahmel Anderson to 133 yards and two touchdowns. Anderson entered the contest with 931 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns in his first three games, and still leads the state with 1,064 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns.

The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week Award is part of the Giants' continuing effort to support local high school football programs. The Giants elected to name the award in memory of former Union High School (NJ) coach, Lou Rettino, for his fine commitment to the game of football, his community and the betterment of his athletes' lives. Each week during the high school football season, the Giants select one area high school head coach as the Coach of the Week winner. The selection is based on the coach's continuing commitment towards promoting youth football, developing motivated student-athletes and contributing overall to their community.

To celebrate receiving this honor, a $2,000 check will be granted to the school's football program from The Giants Foundation and Gatorade. Tierney will also receive a certificate of recognition signed by Giants head coach Brian Daboll, and will be honored at a dinner following the season, as well as a 2025 pre-season home game.

Tierney is in his third season as head coach of the Pinelands Wildcats, and has previously served as an assistant coach at Pinelands, Mater Dei and Lacey. He played high school football at Mater Dei High School, and was a four-year starter on the offensive line at Towson University in college.

He also serves as head coach of Pinelands' girls high school flag football team each spring, and has been an avid supporter of the growth of girls flag football in the Shore Conference.

In addition to his football coaching duties, Tierney is a special education math teacher at Pinelands High School.

Tierney was recognized as the Shore Conference Coach of the Year in his first season as head coach, after leading the Wildcats to their first winning season in 20 years.

A lifelong Giants fan, he lives in Bayville with his wife Kathy and their four kids: Olivia, Sean, Brooke and Liam.