Everett Assistant Coach to Lead Medford Football

Story Updated 7:05PM, Monday, January 26, 2009

– Allison Goldsberry

School Superintendent Roy Belson has announced that assistant Everett football coach Rico Dello Iacono has been hired to lead the Mustang football team next season.

An advisory committee of football parents and other supporters helped Maloney, Belson, and Medford High School Headmaster Paul Krueger whittle down twenty-seven finalists to four, and finally, one.

According to Al Frezza, a member of the advisory committee, the decision to hire Dello Iacono was unanimous among committee members.

“Coach Dello Iacono just seemed to be the right person for the job. He was well prepared for his interview and he provided the advisory committee with a written prospectus concerning his coaching philosophy; the role of a high school coach, his method of coaching, his interaction with players and what could be expected of him if he was hired. He is personable, eager, energetic and he has gained his experience from a winning program. Also, Coach Dello Iacono is a high school teacher and to me that is very important,” said Frezza.

Dello Iacono told the Medford Daily Mercury that he is excited for his new gig.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity…about the prospect of being the head coach of a really good program with a proud history,” Dello Iacono told the Mercury.

Dello Iacono also said that the team is a “work in progress” right now and it will take some time to build it into a winning program.

Speaking before the School Committee on Monday night, Dello Iacono said he wants to “rebuild the program” and “restore the fighting spirit and pride” to the team.

“Restoration begins today.  The Medford Mustang football program will be restored to its once proud position,” said Dello Iacono.

Medford has had four head football coaches in the last decade and has not won a game since beating Newton South in 2007.

Dello Iacono was a finalist for the head football coach position in 2007.

Dello Iacono is a former Everett High football player and helped lead the Crimson Tide to a Greater Boston League championship as team captain in 1995.  He has been an assistant coach for the varsity Everett football team for eight years.

Dello Iacono teaches in Everett and recently moved to Medford.  It is unclear at this time if Dello Iacono will be offered a position in the Medford Public Schools.