MEET OUR COACHES
JAY CIRACO
Jay Ciraco graduated from Harrison High School in 2002 as a three-sport captain (football, basketball, baseball) and helped to lead the Harrison football team to three sectional titles, played in two state championships, and won a state title in 1999. As an accomplished football player, Jay was named an all-section player for two years and a member of the All New York State Team. As a baseball player, he played all 4 years on varsity earning All Section and first team All State honors and was a Con Edison Award winner in his senior year.
Jay serves as a physical education teacher at Louis M. Klein Middle School in Harrison, NY. He is the head coach of the varsity football program and also coaches girls varsity basketball. Jay holds three coaching certifications in football, basketball, and baseball including being a current certified New York State Teacher. Jay is also certified in Lifeguarding, CPR, First Aid / Responding to Emergencies, the use of an AED, Bigger Faster Stronger (The proven system for building athletes), and Dasa Training certified. (This addresses harassment, bullying, and discrimination prevention and intervention in schools)
As a football coach, Jay served as an assistant varsity coach at Scarsdale High School for 11 years. He was later promoted to defensive coordinator/assistant head coach for his final 4 years in the program. Scarsdale saw great success and made their first ever appearance in the Sectional Finals in his final year as defensive coordinator. Jay has gained extensive football knowledge and the ability to teach proper techniques and schemes, to adjust and adapt to maximize player performance, and to increase team success. Jay is currently in his 6th year as Head Coach at Harrison High School. He possesses knowledge and respect of the rich history and tradition in Harrison. He has the ability to instill a winning mindset that emphasizes skill-building, giving maximum effort and progress. Jay’s leadership promotes a culture of respect, ethical behavior, accountability, and high expectations.
“I believe this football experience will be a great opportunity for all youth athletes to gain success as football players by breaking down each skill set in a progressive age appropriate approach. This fun filled week of learning the game from a number of section one coaches and former players will be an experience these kids can hold on to forever.”
ALEX GREENBERG
Coach Alex Greenberg graduated from Harrison High School in 2007 and continued his academic and athletic career at SUNY Cortland, graduating in 2011 with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Education and holds a NYS Physical Education teaching certificate. Alex then received his Health Education Master’s degree from Lehman College in 2017, resulting in a NYS Health Education Teaching Certificate.
Alex played three years of varsity football for the Huskies, starting on defense and at center his junior and senior seasons. He made the all-league team in each of his three seasons and he also added two first team all-section teams, as well as being named to the first team all-state and first team all-county teams his senior year while winning the Section 1 Class A lineman of the year, and the Chris Mello Scholarship award. Alex was a 2020 Inductee of the Harrison Football Hall of Fame.
Alex continued his football career at SUNY Cortland where he played Nose Guard and Defensive Tackle. Alex helped lead his team to two conference titles, winning the New Jersey Athletic Conference outright his sophomore season before eventually losing in the elite 8 of the national tournament. During Alex’s Junior season he accumulated 26 tackles, three sacks and six and a half tackles for loss totaling 26 yards. Alex helped Cortland to a record of 36-11 during his collegiate career.
Presently, Alex is in his 13th year as a physical education teacher at Scarsdale High School in Scarsdale, New York. He also is a Strength and Conditioning coach in the fitness center for the Winter, Spring and Summer seasons. There he works with many athletes ranging in age and sport to develop skills necessary to prepare student-athletes for the demands of sports while also working to minimize the risk of injury. Alex holds Level 1 and Level 2 USAW Strength and Conditioning Certifications.
Alex has been coaching football for 12 seasons in Section 1. Alex was a member of the Scarsdale Football Coaching staff for 7 seasons. He coached football at Byram Hills High School in Armonk, NY as the Defensive Coordinator (2018-2021). Alex helped Byram Hills reach the 2019 Sections 1 Class B Championship, falling to Ardsley in the championship game, and also helped Byram Hills win the 2021 Section 1 Class B championship. Currently, Alex is the Defensive Coordinator at Harrison High School.
