Greenwich Football Staff
Bryan Hocter
Defensive COordinator
Bryan Hocter has been Greenwich's Defensive Coordinator since 2015. He came to us from Staples High School where he served as the Defensive Line & Tight Ends coach from 2013-2014 and was awarded FCIAC West Assistant Coach of the Year. Prior to that he was the Head Coach of Stamford High School from 2009-2012 and also served as Stamford's Defensive Coordinator from 2002-2008.
In 2017 Coach Hocter's defense accumulated 65.0 sacks, and 57.0 sacks in 2018: both are state records. Since 2016, his defense has allowed less than 2.0 yards per carry on the ground. In 2018, he put arguably one of the best defenses on the field in CT state history, allowing just 4.2 points per game, giving up only 54 points on the season (13 Games).
Coach Hocter earned the FCIAC Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2018. He was previously awarded the winner of the New York Giants High School Coach of the week and served as the defensive coordinator for both the CT vs RI All-Star game and the Super 100 Classic All-Star game.
Coach Hocter grew up in Stamford and attended Westhill High School where he lettered in both Football and Wrestling.
John Woodring
Special teams coordinator
John joined the Cardinals staff in 2016 as the Special Teams Coordinator. Before joining the Cardinals staff he was a coach for the Norwalk Youth Football program for eight years.
John played football and earned his Bachelor Degree at Brown University. In 1981 he was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round. He played for five years in the NFL, all with the Jets. For three of the five seasons he was special teams captain. In 1986 he was inducted into the Brown University Hall of Fame.
John is an elementary school teacher, "somewhere in Fairfield County." All three of his sons graduated from Greenwich and served as captains for the Cardinals, Erik '04, Kevin "15, and Kyle '17. Erik went on to play football at Middlebury College where he captained a NESCAC championship team his senior year. Kevin followed in his brother's footsteps and also played football at Middlebury College, and was a captain his senior season for a NESCAC championship team as well. Kyle is currently playing football at Trinity College and is in his junior year.
Rodney Joyner
Defensive Backs
Head Speed & Agility
Rodney Joyner joined the Greenwich staff in 2015 as the Defensive Backs Coach.
Coach Joyner grew up in Norwalk and attended Brien McMahon High School where he lettered in three sports, Football, Basketball, and Baseball.
After high school Coach Joyner went to King's College in Wilkes Barre, PA where he earned his Bachelor Degree and was a four year starter for the football team. He earned 1st Team MAAC Honors three straight years and was selected as a National All-Star his Senior year.
Coach Joyner currently resides in Derby, CT and is the owner of Radical Athletics in Shelton CT, where he provides training for athletes of all different ages and levels as well as adult fitness training.
BRuce cunningham
Offensive live
Long Snappers
GHS Class of 1983
Bruce Cunningham brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Greenwich High School Football Staff. Coach Cunningham began his coaching career at Greenwich High School in 1985 & 1986 as a volunteer assistant coach. He moved onto Wilton High School as the Offensive and Defensive line coach for three seasons from 1987 - 1989. He then coached in the collegiate ranks at Bowling Green State University from 1990-1993 where he was a part of two Mid-American Conference championship teams in 1991 & 1992, with both teams participating in bowl games. Coach Cunningham was also the Head Coach at Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School, in New Philadelphia, Ohio for two seasons from 1994-1995 and also served as a guest coach with the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL in 1995.
Coach Cunningham then spent five years coaching at Fairfield High School, where he was the Defensive Coordinator from 1996-1998 and the Head Coach for the 1999-2000 season. Coach Cunningham then went back to Wilton High School as their Defensive Coordinator from 2001-2008. He was the Head Football Coach at Wilton High School from 2009-2017.
Coach Cunningham coached the Defensive Line for the Greenwich Cardinals for the 2018 & 2019 seasons. He moved on to New Canaan for 2020. Coach Cunningham returns home to his coaching roots for 2021.
Coach Cunningham is a 1983 graduate of Greenwich, he was a member of the 1981 FCIAC and State Championship teams and 1982 FCIAC Championship team where he was an All-FCIAC selection in 1982.
erik Lee
Defensive LIne
Coach Lee joined the Greenwich Football staff in 2017 as the Freshmen Team Defensive Coordinator. Coach Lee moved up to the Greenwich Varsity staff in 2018 as a defensive backs coach and is now in his second year as the defensive line coach.
Coach Lee played defensive tackle at Yale University where he was a three year starter and a two-time, first team All-Ivy selection. He was also named All-New England in his senior season and played in the Ivy Bowl in Tokyo, Japan. His college coaches included Hall of Fame Coach Carm Cozza and current University of Arizona Defensive Coordinator Don Brown.
Coach Lee is from Chadds Ford, PA, where he captained the football, basketball, and lacrosse teams for Unionville High School. He now teaches Social Studies at Greenwich High School and lives in Cos Cob.
Riis Lane
Linebackers & Safeties
Coach Lane comes by way of Darien High School where he was the Offensive Line Coach as well as the Run Coordinator. In his time at Darien he helped them get to the state finals in 2019. From 2016 to 2018, Coach Lane held the title of Offensive Line Coach as well as the Run Coordinator for the University of Western Connecticut. In addition, he has held the title of Offensive Coordinator as well as Offensive Line Coach during his time at other FCIAC schools such as Trumbull High School from 2013-2015 & Stamford High School from 2006 - 2012. He originally got his start in coaching football at sub-varsity level in Stamford from 2003 - 2005.
Coach Lane grew up in Stamford, CT and attended Stamford High School where he lettered in both Football and Track & Field. He played college football at Curry College in 1999 & 2000. He continued his playing career within the Semi Pro leagues where he was selected to play for teams out of Boston, Connecticut, and Westchester County (NY) from 2002 - 2009. He graduated with his master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of New Haven, and is currently a career FireFighter for the City of Stamford and lives in Monroe, CT with his wife, Leah and his three boys Edward, Alexander & William.
Jonathan Rich
Passing Game Coord. qB'S
Jonathan Rich joined the program in 2019 as the Freshman Offensive Coordinator. and was promoted to Quarterbacks Coach in 2021. He went to Syracuse University where he served as an undergrad assistant for the football team, spending four years with the WRs. While at Syracuse he was also an intern with the scouting department. The year prior he coached at Western Connecticut State as an Offensive Assistant. After graduating college he spent a year working statistics and scores at the National Football League.
dan taylor
wide receivers
GHS Class of 2002
A former Cos Cob Crusher, Coach Taylor played Cardinal Football at GHS and was a member of the 2000 Class LL State Champion Team and 2001 & 2002 State Runners up. Coach Taylor also lettered in Varsity Wrestling at GHS and was a FCIAC and State Champion in his weight class. Coach Taylor previously coached both Boys Basketball and Baseball at Western Middle School and earned Western’s first ever town championship in either sport.
Coach Taylor was a six-time intramural flag football champion during his college years at The University of Rhode Island and Southern Connecticut State University. Coach Taylor earned his Masters degree in Physical Education from Manhattanville College and is a Physical Education teacher at North Mianus School.
Austin Longi
Wide Receivers
GHS Class of 2015
Austin Longi grew up in Greenwich and Stamford, Connecticut. He attended Greenwich High School where he was named All-Conference and All-State in Football and Track. He went on to play Division 1 football at Fordham University where he was a 4 year starter at Wide Receiver. While at Fordham, Austin was named First-Team All Patriot League in both his junior and senior seasons. Austin finished his career 5th in school history for receiving touchdowns and yards and 3rd in receptions.
After graduating from Fordham with a major in economics, Austin joined Neuberger Berman, a wealth management firm where he is currently employed. During his employment at Neuberger Berman, Austin opened “The Ave” Performance Center with Coach Rodney Joyner here in Greenwich. The Ave is a performance gym that serves a wide variety of athletes in our community!
Nick Celestino
running backs
Coach Celestino joined the Cardinal staff in 2021 as the Varsity Running Backs Coach. Coach Celestino grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York, where he attended Spackenkill High School and lettered in three sports. He continued his football career in upstate New York as a four year starter and captain while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Coach Celestino went on to attend Sacred Heart University where he earned his Masters of Arts in Elementary Education and is currently a 5th Grade Teacher within the Greenwich School District.
steven Randazzo
Tight Ends
Coach Randazzo is in his third full time coaching position with the Cardinals after his volunteer time while attending college in 2018. Coach Randazzo played both sides of the ball in high school at his AAAA alma mater Pocono Mountain East. During his time as an athlete, he earned all-conference recognition at 5 different positions. After high school, he attended Washington & Jefferson College starting at Right Guard for the second-most winningest program in Division III history. He was a student of the game and played under Todd Young who has coached multiple Offensive Linemen to the level of All-American. Coach Randazzo focuses not only on the game, but the character development that will benefit the players both on and off the field.
Joseph Vrtiak
Head Sophomore &
Junior Varsity Coach
GHS Class of 1974
Joe Vrtiak is currently the Head Coach of the Sophomore and Junior Varsity Programs. He started his second stint coaching in Greenwich in 2003. Coach Vrtiak first began his coaching career at Greenwich High School, but later went on to coach at New Canaan, Eastern Junior High School, and Stamford High School before returning home to GHS. Joe was the CHSCA 2001 Assistant Football Coach of the Year and a 2002 AFLAC National Assistant Football Coach of the Year for New Canaan.
During his tenure of coaching football at both New Canaan and Greenwich High Schools, Coach Vrtiak was a member of 9 FCIAC and 5 State Championship teams.
Coach Vrtiak attended St. Leo's College.
Mike Jedlicka
Sub-Varsity Defensive Coord.
GHS Class of 1992
This is Coach Jed’s second season as a member of the Cardinal staff. Coach was a teammate on the 1990 and 1991 GHS state championship teams serving as captain for the 1991 team. He is a former GYFL team president and GYFL board member. He lives with family in town and has had his 3 sons all play for the Cardinals.
frank wells
head freshman coach
GHS Class of 1994
Frank Wells joined the Greenwich staff in 2016 as the Head Freshman Coach, posting an impressive 9-1 record in his first year. Frank has been a coach in the GHS Boys Lacrosse program since 2000, and the Head Junior Varsity Lacrosse Coach since 2003.
A Former Cos Cob Crusher, Frank went on to play football, basketball, and baseball at Greenwich High School. After high school, Frank went to Western New England University and played football and picked up a new sport, lacrosse. He was named a two time Captain, and earned All-Pilgrim League Defensive Player of the Year, and was nominated to the Lacrosse Senior East vs West All-Star Game.
alex santos
freshman defensive coordinator
Coach Santos brings his skills from Trinity Catholic, where he was an All-State defensive back. Coach Santos was a three sport athlete in high school and during his time at UC Santa Barbara. After college, Coach Santos turned his on-field abilities into coaching skills. As the Defensive Coordinator for the Freshmen team in 2019, his defense returned eight interceptions for touchdowns en route to an undefeated season.
andre jackson
freshman assistant coach
GHS Class of 1982
Andre Jackson has been on the Greenwich Football Staff since 2015 as an Assistant Freshmen Coach. A Greenwich High Graduate in 1982, Andre played on the 1981 CIAC State Championship team.
Coach Jackson currently is a Program Coordinator for the Greenwich Flag Football League and has coached within that program since 2010.
Coach Jackson is a former Glenville Maverick player, but has also coached the Riverside Gators for the Greenwich Youth Football League. He also sits on the Greenwich High School Hall of Fame Board since 2014.
anthony Minichino
freshman offensive &
defensive line
GHS Class of 2009
Coach Minichino joined the Greenwich Staff in 2017 as an Assistant Sub Varsity Coach. Now in his fifth year of coaching for the Cardinals, “Coach Mini” works closely with the offensive and defensive lineman.
Before GHS, Coach Minichino also coached for his former GYFL team, the BANC Raiders from 2013-2014. Coach Minichino graduated from Greenwich High School in 2009. He was a member of the FCIAC and State Championship Teams in 2006 & 2007. Aside from football, he played and lettered in Varsity Boys Volleyball at GHS.
After high school, he earned his Bachelor Degree from the University of Connecticut in 2014.
kaden bouldin
freshman offensive coordinator
Coach Bouldin joined the Greenwich Football staff in 2021 as the Freshman Offensive Coordinator. While attending Texas Tech University, he assisted the football team with recruitment activities.
After earning his Bachelor Degree in Public Relations, he moved back to Connecticut to pursue a career in coaching and education. Coach Bouldin also joined the lacrosse coaching staff at his alma mater, Stamford High School, where he was the Freshman Offensive Coordinator and Varsity Offensive Assistant.
Michael Sinisi
Freshman Asst. and Asst. Strength Coach
Class of 2022
Coach Sinisi is a Greenwich High School graduate, class of 2022 who has returned to “the nest” as a first year member of the Cardinal Staff.
Michael was a varsity starter for Greenwich Football since his sophomore year and played throughout his tenure at Center and Defensive linemen. Michael was a captain his senior year and received All FCIAC, and All Conference Accolades. He proudly represented Greenwich Football as a member of the New Haven Register All State Team 2021. Michael was a member of the Central CT State football team for the 2022 season and is currently attending Manhattanville College.
patrick mediate
Head strength Coach &Special Teams Asst.
Class of 1973
Patrick Mediate retired as a physical education instructor at GHS after 43 years and currently serves as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coordinator and Special Teams Assistant Coach responsible for Kickers, Punters and Holders. He has coached football for GHS at different times in his career since 1977 for Mike Ornato and John Marinelli and was named Head Coach for the CT All Star Football West team in the early 90’s.
As a lifelong resident of Greenwich, he played youth football for the Binney Bears, Eastern Junior High and at GHS for Coach Dave Rice and Mike Ornato earning All Western Division Defensive End honors on the 1972 team that played for the FCIAC championship. He graduated with the class of 1973 and continued playing football for 4 years at Central Connecticut State College with all ECAC honors his senior year blocking punts for touchdowns against Springfield and Southern CT State Colleges. He continued his education with a MA degree from Fairfield University and 6th year degrees from Southern CT State.
Coach Mediate is the chairman of the Greenwich High School Sports Hall of Fame Foundation honoring former GHS athletes. Patrick also served as the NSCA State Director and Regional coordinator. He is active in many organizations at the state, regional, and national levels and has presented to audiences throughout the country. He has served as Vice President of Health for the Eastern District of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance and a former member of the Board of Directors for the National Strength and Conditioning Association
Coach Mediate has received awards for his professional efforts, including being named the Connecticut Physical Education Teacher of the Year for (CAHPERD) the NSCA High School Professional of the year, the NSCA State Director of the Year, President’s Award recipient and a 2 time NSCA Strength Of America Award for Greenwich High School.
He was an invited guest with the US Weightlifting Team at the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta, GA. He has hosted and presented conferences at the state, national and international level for the NSCA and USA Weightlifting and co-authored two books on Medicine Ball Training along with numerous videos on youth fitness training. He has been on network news specials at CNN, MSNBC, Nickelodeon and HBO and featured in Men’s Journal and WAG magazine.