For Immediate Release

Contact: Meghan Gilmore (973) 549-4684

JETS AND GATORADE NAME

ASHLEY “SMOKE” PIERRE OF
IRVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL &
BRIAN RUSSO OF RAHWAY HIGH SCHOOL
COACHES OF THE WEEK
October XX, 2020 -- The New York Jets announced today that Ashley “Smoke” Pierre of
Irvington High School in Irvington, NJ and Brian Russo of Rahway High School in Rahway, NJ
have been named this week's recipients of the New York Jets High School Coach of the Week
awards presented by Gatorade. Through Gatorade’s partnership, the monetary award to
benefit the school’s football program has doubled to $2,000. Along with this award, Irvington
High School and Rahway High School receives an automatic bid to compete in the 2021 New
York Jets 11-ON Tournament. In addition, they will be invited to watch the New York Jets play
from a luxury suite at MetLife Stadium, when fans are allowed to attend games.
In its 25th year, the Coach of the Week award is given to a coach in the Tri-State area who
serves the best interests of the game through the teaching of sound football fundamentals, the
motivation of young players to achieve and the promotion of youth football by way of dedication
to their community, their school and their student-athletes. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the
Jets will name two coaches every week because of the condensed high school football season.
Coach Pierre attended Bayley-Ellard High School in Madison, NJ where he played linebacker.
After graduating in 2004, Pierre went to college at the University of Rhode Island. Pierre
continued his football career in college. After college, Pierre began coaching at Barringer High
School in 2008. Pierre was named the head coach at Irvington High School in 2016. On Friday,
October 2nd the Irvington Knights overpowered the Bayonne Bees 32-6.
Coach Russo is a 1996 graduate of Woodbridge High School in Woodbridge, NJ. He played
fullback and linebacker at Woodbridge. After high school, Russo attended Wagner College
where he played linebacker. In 2001, Russo began to coach football as an assistant at
Woodbridge High School. He took over head coaching duties of the program in 2003. After 9
years as head coach of his alma mater, Russo became the head coach of Rahway High
School. Russo is in his sixth season as the head coach of Rahway. Coach Russo teaches
mathematics and special education at Woodbridge High School. On Saturday, October 3rd, the
Rahway Indians defeated the Summit Hilltoppers 40-14.