Head Football Coach Mario Valentini
Mario Valentini begins his 23rd year as Head Coach of Mount St. Michael Academy. The 1969 graduate of the Mount played QB for legendary coach Howie Smith. Coach Valentini started his coaching career in 1974 at Westchester Community College where he coached the Receivers and QB's for five years.
Valentini joined the Mount staff in 1979 as an assistant to Joe Tricario Sr. where he coached the defensive backs and served as Defensive Coordinator. Coach Valentini became only the seventh Head Coach in Mount St. Michael history in 1984 and has a record of 147-68-1. Under Coach Valentini's guidance the Mount has won three CHSFL City Championships in 1992, '96 and '97 as well as an appearance in the 1986 finals. " Valentini gives credit to all his coaches and the outstanding athletes we have had the opportunity to coach for all the success the Mount football program has achieved". Mr. Valentini also serves as the schools Athletic Director and Department Chairman of Physical Education.
Offensive and Defensive Line Coach Bernard Ryan
Bernard Ryan is in his nineteenth season as a member of the Mount Football Staff. Ryan is the current offensive and defensive line coach and coordinates the Mountaineer defense.
Ryan is a graduate of Frankline and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in May, 1987. While at F&M, Ryan was a 4-year letter winner at tight end. During his time at F&M, the Diplomats won two Centennial Conference Championships, participated in their first post-season bowl game and captured the coveted Conestoga Wagon Trophy all four years.
Ryan and his wife, SueAnn, are the proud parents of two boy, five-year old Finnian and three-year old Shayne.
Defensive Back and Halfback Coach Carmine Luongo
Carmine Luongo enters his ninth season as a member of the MSM football staff and second season as the varsity defensive backs and halfback coach. Luongo also works with the punt and kickoff returners. He served as J.V. assistant coach under Rob McConaghy from 1998 to 2001 and was the J.V. head coach for the 2002 and 2003 seasons.
Luongo received his Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Cortland, where he was also a member of the Red Dragon football team and teammate of assistant coach Rob McConaghy. After his playing days, Luongo began his coaching career as the J.V. running backs coach at SUNY Cortland.
Luongo is a member of the MSM Physical Education Department and also serves as the J.V. lacrosse coach.
Junior Varsity Head Coach Nchendia Tajong
Nchendia Tajong is in his fifth season as a member of the Mountaineer coaching staff and second season as the J.V. Head coach. He also assists the Varsity special teams on game day.
Tajong was a four year letterman and three year starter at halfback and slot receiver for the University of Rhode Island. He served as captain in his senior season for the Rams.
Tajong graduated from the Mount in 1998. As a senior he earned All City and All State honors as well as being named the Daily News Player of the Year for New York City. He was also a member of the back to back CHSFL Championship teams in 1996 and 1997 with currenc J.V. assistants David Chi and Michael Hannon. He played under current Varsity coaches Mario Valentini, Bernard Ryan and Rob McConaghy.
Tajong, born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx, has three brothers and still resides in the Bronx.
Assistant Junior Varsity Head Coach Michael Hannon
Mike Hannon enters his fifth season as assistant coach on the Junior Varsity. Hannon will serve as both the Offensive and Defensive Line Coach. Hannon, who is a Mount graduate - class of 1998, will work alongside Head Coach Moses Tajong and Assistant David Chi who are also graduates from the class of 1998.
While at the Mount, Hannon played under Head Coach Mario Valentini and was a member of both the 1996 and 1997 back-to-back City Championship teams. In his senior season in 1997, Hannon was name 1st team All-League and played in the Senior Bowl. The 1997 team was also the only team under Valentini to finish a perfect 11-0. Hannon played offensive Line at the Mount under Bernie Ryan who continues to coach the Line and serves as Defensive Coordinator on the Varsity.
After leaving the Mount, Hannon went to play three years of college football at Pace University in Pleasantville, NY. Hannon suffered an unfortunate injury in his senior year which cut his career short. While at Pace, Hannon studied Criminal Justice and received his B.S. in 2002 with a minor in Law.
Hannon currently lives in Ossining, NY and manages a restaurant in Pleasantville, NY.
Assistant Freshman, Receiver and Linebacker Coach Carlo Letizia
Carlo Letizia enters his fourth season as Assistant Freshman Coach. Letizia will serve as receiver and line backer Coach.
Carlo is a member of the class 0f 1998. While at the Mount, Letizia played under Head Coach Mario Valentini and was a member of both the 1996 and 1997 back-to-back City Championship teams. The 1997 team was the only team under Valentini to end with a perfect 11-0 record. Letizia played defensive Line at the Mount under Bernie Ryan who continues to coach the Line and serves as Defensive Coordinator on the Varsity.
After leaving the Mount, Letizia went to Pace University in Pleasantville, NY. Letizia studied Business Management and received his B.A. in 2002.
Coach Letizia currently lives in the Bronx teaching math in Mount St. Michael junior high school and manages his family's restaurant in Pleasantville N.Y.
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