Trasacco resigns as football coach

Salvestrini expects new coach to be named by March

Contributed Photo

Alex Trasacco gives direction to the football team. Trasacco, who teaches architectural design, construction, and graphic design, tendered his resignation as head coach after three seasons.

Justin Tarsi, Hisham Rushaidat, and
December 9, 2017

Athletic Director Chip Salvestrini is currently searching for a new football coach after Alex Trasacco resigned this past week.

Trasacco’s tenure as the Hatters’ football coach comes to an end after three years on the sideline, finishing with an overall record of 4-25.

Trasacco, a Technology Education teacher, said that he decided it was time to resign since he “didn’t think that the program was heading in the right direction.” He said that “after 30 years of highschool and college coaching, it was time to act as a “regular person” again. However, he mentioned that, “It feels weird already.”

“It’s a hard decision,” says Trasacco, who thanked and praised the athletics department. “I’ve always had a lot of support. It’s like a family.”

Salvestrini revealed his thoughts on the resignation stating, “I’m disappointed, he’s a good person and a good coach. Sometimes wins don’t come to good people.” He added that it was a “difficult season to coach, [and] in the end he made a decision that was best for him. I’m happy for him.”

Taking this step had been on the coach’s mind for a while. “I’ve thought about it since the end of the season. I even created a plus/minus chart.”  He came to the conclusion that “a younger, more energetic person would be better for the job.”

Varsity quarterback, running back and safety Diante Vines, junior, said he was surprised when he found out the news that Trasacco had resigned.

Varsity fullback and linebacker Solomon James, senior, had a lot to say about his former coach. “He had to make a decision that was best for him. He was my head coach for three years so it’s sad to see him leave.”

James, who made the FCIAC All-West team, said he believes that Trasacco “most likely made this decision for multiple reasons and it’s a decision he made with a lot of thought.”

Trasacco demanded hard work and discipline from his players, while also “instilling the ‘refuse-to-lose’ attitude within them.”

“I used to say that we can shock any opponent if we go out there and decide to play,” he said, adding that living with such mentality can “change your life.”

James commended Trasacco and his winning attitude as the coach: “He had a plan going into every game,” James says, “and he did what he thought was right to try win games.”

Vines, also named in the 2017 FCIAC All-West team, appreciated what Trasacco did for him and the team. “Coach Trasacco was a great coach, always saw and searched for the best in all his players,” Vines says. “He was a hard coach but only because he wanted the best for his players. I appreciated all the years he gave me.”

Trasacco acknowledged that he was “going to miss the interaction [he had with the players].The guys played as hard as they could.”

Trasacco says, “I don’t look [back] at the years, but I look and see the players that I enjoyed coaching.”

Trasacco now is planning to “relax, enjoy the holidays, and watch my son’s games.”

Now the challenge for Salvestrini  is looking for the right coach to lead this team on and off the field.

Salvestrini says the administration won’t announce a new coach until approximately March 15. “We want to find the best person possible for the job.”

Vines is hoping that the program “can hire a coach right for the school, and start a winning tradition that Danbury can be proud of.” He wants a “coach who will discipline all players and a coach with a winning mentality.”