When Vinny Laino decided to step down last spring, Danny Perez was the most disappointed person at Fort Hamilton. Since his days as a player then an assistant coach, Perez looked at Laino as a father figure and mentor.
“His reaction was: ‘Coach, why are you gonna leave now? Everything is so good,’” recalled Laino, who compiled a 150-60 record in 20 seasons and won city championships in 2005 and 2006 in addition to a pair of ‘B’ crowns.
At the time, Perez didn’t imagine the possibilities, of going undefeated in his first year at the helm and leading Fort Hamilton to its third title in six years, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx. Laino attended a few games this year, including the Tigers’ 34-14 semifinal victory over Fort Hamilton, but had to go back to his new home in Tucson, Ariz., where he is building a new life with his wife, Lisa.
Tuesday afternoon, however, Laino’s mind was in The Bronx, with his old assistant coach and his old players. He spent three hours on his phone, sending text messages and making phone calls to his son, Frank, and other friends at the game to keep updated. He was nervous for the first hour, but once the Tigers took the lead on Brandon Reddish’s 26-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Wesley Sumpter and the subsequent 2-point conversion toss to Dylan Campili, Laino relaxed somewhat.
“Everybody came through,” he said of his friends, like he was describing his players after a hard-fought win. “By the end of the game, I was getting play-by-play. Those guys’ fingers are probably a little sore from texting so much.”
Laino was thrilled for the program he built from the ground up, for core seniors and four-year varsity players like Reddish, Ivan Foy, Kevon Foster and James Howell, players that finish their career an astounding 36-2 mark as starters.
“That’s pretty impressive, I couldn’t be more proud and happy for them,” he said. “They put an exclamation point on an incredible career. This is the way to go out, to finish like that.”
More than anything, Laino was happy for Perez, his protégé. From his first day on the job, Perez, a Brooklyn College graduate and former Fort Hamilton lineman, talked about continuing Laino’s work. When asked to compare the two, the Tigers said nothing had changed. The proof was in this year’s results, Perez guiding Fort Hamilton to its third straight perfect regular season and to the third championship.
“I’m not surprised at all, I think he’s a great coach and he’s gonna have a great career,” Laino said. “Dan Perez has matched me in work ethic and I think it’s pretty well known I was kind of a guy that tried to outwork you. I knew he was capable of doing the work. For the past seven years, he played such a vital role on our staff, as far as developing game plans and scouting an opponent and getting prepared for an opponent. I knew he was capable of doing all those things. He’s gonna be one of the great coaches in the city.”
One year in, he already has a city title — more than most have already.