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The New Rochelle Board of Education announced this week that Rhett was officially taking over the Huguenots after he and fellow assistant coach Greg Foster took over the team when DiRienzo got benched amid a police investigation.
Rhett has been an assistant coach for the varsity team since 2017, serving the same role for the team in 2001 and 2004. He was a key member of the staff that led New Rochelle to the state championship the last two years, including last year’s victory over McQuaid Jesuit.
“I look forward to the challenge and the opportunity and to continuing to build the program,” the coach said. “It starts in the off-season with a focus on academics and in the weight room. We’re focusing on having the student-athletes grow academically and become stronger and faster.”
Director of Athletics Steve Young said that his new head coach “commands the respect of the students on the team and in his physical education classes.”
“He’s a role model to both athletes and non-athletes,” he said. “The students have a lot of respect for him. He’s a good person and a good family man. Ever since I arrived in the District, he has been nothing but friendly and a true professional. I am very happy for Ray and I look forward to working with him in his new role.
“He’s very competitive, very intense. He did a great job as head coach of the junior varsity football team. They were a very successful team, having three consecutive undefeated seasons.”
Off the football field, Rhett has been a physical education teacher and coach of multiple other sports in New Rochelle since 2001. Previous posts include head coach of the modified track and field, and softball programs at Albert Leonard Middle School, assistant varsity track and field coach at NRHS, head coach of the NRHS junior varsity basketball team and junior varsity football team.
Rhett has also coached and taught in the Bronx and Rochester.
Superintendent Laura Feijóo said that Rhett’s “understanding of the importance of academics as well as athletics, make him the right fit.”
“We are excited to have Coach Rhett take on the role of head coach for our championship team,” she stated. “We embarked on a rigorous selection process to fill this position, and Coach Rhett emerged as the candidate with the right skills and attitude. He has been an integral part of the team’s leadership during its phenomenal performance in recent years.”
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