NY Dragons Name Former LI Head Coach To Lead Inaugural Season

UNIONDALE, NY — With the New York Dragons set to start competing in the new Entertainment Football Association, the team has announced its first head coach and director of football operations.

Gerald Filardi is synonymous with football on Long Island. He has been the varsity head coach at
Half Hollow Hills West High School in Dix Hills since 2019. This past season he led the Colts to a 9-2 overall record in Suffolk County Division III including 7-1 in the regular season.

In 2012, Filardi founded the Long Island Spartans, Long Island’s first travel football team and followed that up in 2013 with the formation of Long Island Elite Football, the region's first travel elite youth football program.

“This organization has a proud history and a passionate fan base that deserves a team that plays with heart, discipline and innovation," Filardi said.

Filardi finished his high school playing career with 346 tackles, making him Walt Whitman High School’s all-time leader.

He went on to play professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arena Football League’s Albany Firebirds.

"Gerald is a proven leader and winner who is driven to grow football on Long Island at all levels. He shares our vision of building a championship roster loaded with Long Island and area talent," said Dragons General Manager Peter Schwartz.

Filardi played his college ball at Penn State, where he was part of four bowl games including the 1994 Rose Bowl that capped off a 12-0 season with a national championship.

Training camp is scheduled to open in May with the Dragons' season starting in June. They'll play their home games at the Nassau Coliseum.