The selection process included acquiring feedback from student-athletes, parents and other community members. The athletic director and the assistant athletic director also surveyed and held meetings with stakeholder groups such as varsity, junior varsity and modified football players, parents of student-athletes, members of the Harrison Husky Football Hall of Fame and other community members and alumni.
From this feedback, the stakeholder groups helped define some distinct qualities they’d like to see in the new head coach. Some of these qualities include:
- Knowledge and respect of Harrison football’s rich history
- Encouraging a winning mindset in all team members that emphasizes effort, progress and skill-building
- Thorough knowledge of football and the skill to educate team members about proper techniques
- An attitude of leadership that promotes an athletic culture of respect, accountability, ethical behavior and high expectations
- Implementation of a year-round strength and conditioning program for athletes
A 2002 HHS graduate, Ciraco was captain of three sports: football, basketball and baseball. He helped lead the football team to three sectional titles, two state championships and one state title in 1999. He has spent the past two years as an assistant varsity football coach in Harrison and has prior experience serving as the assistant varsity football coach in Scarsdale from 2005 to 2016.
Ciraco also serves as a physical education teacher at Louis M. Klein Middle School and coaches varsity baseball and girls basketball.
“It has always been a lifelong dream to be an educator and the head football coach of the Harrison Huskies,” said Ciraco. “My experience as a Husky has prepared me to promote a positive culture around respect, accountability, commitment, and development for our students.”
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