Embattled New Rochelle football coach resigns

Embattled coach Louis DiRienzo has resigned as head football coach and teacher at New Rochelle High School.
In a joint written statement, the coach said, “After much thought, I have decided to resign from my positions as head football coach and teacher at New Rochelle High School. I am proud of my students' and teams' accomplishments on and off the football field these past 28 years. I will always be rooting for the Huguenots and the New Rochelle community. I thank the community for its support over the years.”
The school district said, “After 28 years of service to the New Rochelle City School District, its students and student athletes, Coach Louis DiRienzo has decided to resign from his position effective December 31, 2019. The Board thanks Coach DiRienzo for his years of dedicated service to the community and wishes him well in all of his future endeavors.”
The school has been tight-lipped about what caused DiRienzo’s reassignment from coaching duties, but DiRienzo's family speculated his dismissal stemmed from helping a distressed student - who is also a relative - leave the school campus without going through proper channels.
DiRienzo was also facing allegations from the Yonkers Police Department that a student accused him of unlawful contact back in the 1980s.
A parent and former student of DiRienzo told News 12, "He was a terrific human being, he was a tremendous asset to our community. I am personally horrified and sick from this."
DiRienzo's reassignment caused an uproar in the city, with people holding protests and calling for School Superintendent Dr. Laura Feijóo to resign. He was reassigned on Nov. 13, right before the football team made its run through the playoff to a state championship this season.