SSHS football coach not returning

Paul Mastronardi will not return to lead South Side High School’s football program after serving two years as varsity head coach. The Cyclones struggled to a 1-7 finish in Nassau Conference III in 2010, beating Valley Stream South in Week 2 for their only win. They compiled a record of 3-13 during Mastronardi’s tenure.

“I’m disappointed,” said Mastronardi, who replaced longtime head coach Walter Denton prior to the 2009 campaign. “I’ve been surrounded by a nice bunch of young men the past two years, and I’m going to miss being around them.”

Mastronardi, who isn’t employed by the district, said he was informed of the decision during winter recess. Junior varsity head coach Leroy Roberts will not return as well.

The Cyclones won their first-ever game under Mastronardi on Sept. 12, 2009, stunning perennial county title contender Bethpage on the road, 13-7. But they suffered a myriad of injuries and dropped six of their next seven. This past fall, South Side lost its last six games after splitting the first two.