David DeGeronimo, Greene physical education teacher and Los Altos High School football coach, will be the head football coach for the 2022-2023 school year following the departure of the previous head football coach, Nelson Gifford.

DeGeronimo, one of Paly’s former assistant football coach for 12 years, said he is excited to return to Paly sports.

“I look forward to coaching at Paly (again) and meeting the team,” DeGeronimo said. “I’d like to get their feedback on what worked and what could improve as we look forward to the football season.”

Moving forward, DeGeronimo said he plans to focus on Paly’s competitiveness.

“We want to continue the great tradition of football at Paly and compete every day to get better,” DeGeronimo said. “We will set high expectations, teach fundamentals and install schemes to compete in the De Anza division.”

Varsity football cornerback and senior Alex Born said he is intrigued by the prospect of DeGeronimo’s coaching.

“I’m excited,” Born said. “I’ve never met him, but I can’t wait to see what he brings to the table and what big changes he can make to the program.”

Varsity football tight end and junior Oliver Marburg said he was sad to see Gifford leave, but looks forward to what DeGeronimo will bring.

“(Gifford) was loved by this team and really formed something special,” Marburg said. “With Coach DeGeronimo, you get a guy that many kids are familiar with, and he’s proven he’s a guy who can win games.
However, Marburg also said he hopes not everything will change along with the new head coach.

“I hope the playbook for the most part stays consistent, and the scheme that we would run both offensively and defensively,” Marburg said. “It would be really tough to learn a new playbook in one summer.”

DeGeronimo said he is looking forward to returning to Paly as the new head football coach, and is making an effort to form connections and prepare the team for the season ahead.

“I will meet the team on Tuesday and get started right away to put together a staff,” DeGeronimo said. “I will be on campus after school to get everything ready for the spring and summer schedules. We will be ready to go in fall. I am excited to come back to where it all started.”