One of the greatest coaches in the history of Long Island football is stepping down. Paul Longo, the longtime head coach of the William Floyd Colonials varsity football team and the winningest public high school football coach in Suffolk County history, has announced his retirement. Longo leaves the school with a legacy that few can match, and his impact will be felt for generations of William Floyd students.
When Coach Longo took over the varsity program in 1995, the Colonials had never won a playoff game. Over the next 31 years, he transformed the program into one of the most respected in New York State. Under his leadership, William Floyd made 26 playoff appearances, reached 21 county championship games, captured 15 Suffolk County titles, won five Long Island championships, and earned three Rutgers Trophies as the best team in Suffolk County. The program also achieved a top-15 national ranking in 2007.
“I feel it is time for some of the outstanding younger coaches to have the opportunity to lead the team,” Longo said. “I am thankful and honored for all the support from the entire William Floyd community.”
Superintendent of Schools Kevin Coster praised Longo for his decades of service, noting his additional roles as a guidance counselor, dean of students, and mentor to countless student-athletes. “Paul Longo was a legendary head coach,” Coster said. “He was a chess master who also displayed tremendous sportsmanship.”
Longo was known for his class and leadership as well as his respect for opponents, often resting starters once games were out of reach. Among his great accomplishments was his 42-game winning streak from 2005 to 2008 remains the longest in Suffolk County history. He finished his career with a 253–67 record, nearly an .800 winning percentage.
His personal accolades are vast, but his coaching led to others receiving numerous awards as well. During his tenure there have been numerous Suffolk County best player awards including: five Zellner Award winners (top lineman), four Collotta Award winners (best linebacker), three Cassese Award winners (best defensive back), two Boomer Award winners (best quarterback), two Joe Cipp Jr. Award winners (best running back), one LaBue Award winner (outstanding scholar athlete), one, two-time Paul Longo Award winner (best placekicker), one Bryan Collins Award winner (best defensive end), one National Football Foundation Best Receiver Award, and one James Conrad Metzger Top Scholar Athlete Award presented by the National Football Foundation.
He also led his players to win three Hansen Awards for the best player in Suffolk County – Brock Jackolski (2007), Stacey Bedell (2011) and most recently Ja’Quan Thomas (2025) all won the award.
Athletic Director Brian Babst, a former player and assistant coach under Longo, called him an incredible mentor who built a lasting culture of pride and excellence. Longo is a member of the William Floyd Athletic Hall of Fame (Class of 2019) and the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame (2022). He has won three Suffolk County “Coach of the Year” awards and 19 Division I “Coach of the Year” honors.