Longtime MTHS football coach calls it a career

Posted: November 17th 2023

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

There will be a major change coming to the Middle Township High School football program.

Frank Riggitano, who completed his 22nd season overall as head coach over two different stints late last month, has informed the school he will not return next fall. Riggitano, Cape May County’s all-time leader in high school football head coaching wins, completes his career with a record of 111-110.

“To be honest, I’m tired,” Riggitano said. “I’ve always felt that if you can’t give 100 percent to the kids, which is the only way to run an operation like that, then it’s time. I don’t feel like I can give that 100 percent right now.”

Riggitano finished with a flourish, guiding Middle to one of the best three-year stints in program history, the Panthers going 21-9 with three state playoff berths and a West Jersey Football League division title over that span, including a 7-3 mark this fall. The Panthers’ 2023 season ended with a gut-wrenching 35-34 loss to Gloucester in a Group II playoff game.

“I think when time goes by I’ll be able to sit back and say it was a good way to finish, but right at this moment I’m probably more frustrated with the way the season ended because we were right there in our last two games (including a close loss to Pleasantville in the last regular-season game),” Riggitano said. “But one of the things I’ve always felt with coaching, the wins and losses are one thing, but there’s no greater feeling for me than when a former player that I was probably very tough on and demanding of comes back and thanks me for what I did for him. There’s no greater satisfaction for me to look around the community and see kids who played in our program turn out to be quality people and great people in society. That means so much more to me than anything else.”

Riggitano first became head coach at Middle in 1989 and served through 2000 before resigning to take over as the school’s athletic director. He returned as head coach for the 2012 season while still athletic director before becoming the school’s principal shortly thereafter. He served as both head football coach and principal before retiring from the principal’s position in December 2018. Riggitano continued his career in education for two more years as the interim director of Coastal Preparatory School in Cape May Court House while still coaching football at Middle. He later was the director of recreation in his hometown of Dennis Township.

As football coach, Riggitano led Middle to its first-ever state playoff appearance in 1994 (back when only four teams in each section qualified) and guided the program to seven playoff berths overall.

“On behalf of Middle Township High School and the entire Middle Township community, we would like to thank Coach Riggitano for the 22 seasons he dedicated to the Panther football program as head coach,” Middle Township High School athletic director Josh McCarty said in a statement. “Throughout his decades of service to the students of MTHS as principal, athletic director, teacher and coach, he has instilled valuable life lessons every step of the way. His dedication to the Panther athletic department has spanned five decades … We wish Coach Riggitano nothing but the best in his retirement.”

Riggitano said he was thankful for the support from his family, which includes his wife, Jeanette, and children, Matt and Julianna, both of whom are graduates of and former athletes at Middle Township. He also cited the strong support from his many assistant coaches, the school administration, the board of education and the community. And, of course, all of his many players over the years.

While Middle loses quite a few seniors to graduation this year, there are many talented players returning, including junior running backs Remi Rodriguez and Shaun Watkins, who combined to rush for more than 2,000 yards this fall. Junior Micah McAnaney is also a very talented underclassmen who will probably take on an even greater role next season. Riggitano said the program finished the season with 21 freshmen and that “quite a few of them have a chance to be really, really good.”

“With each passing year, I always kept saying I wanted to see a certain group of kids through,” Riggitano said. “But like my wife told me, no matter when you leave you’re always going to have to leave a group behind and that’s one of the hardest things about leaving. But I think the program is in a good spot.”

A graduate of Lower Cape May Regional High School, Riggitano was a fine athlete in his day, excelling in football and baseball. He went on to play both sports at Division III Susquehanna University, where is a member of the school’s athletic Hall of Fame. Riggitano is still tied for fifth at Susquehanna for most field goals in a season with 10, which he accomplished in 1982.

Riggitano said he has not closed the door completely on coaching football in some capacity in the future.

“I definitely need a break,” he said. “But who knows? If the situation is right and someone needs some help, maybe I can come back at some point and help out somewhere.”