New Canaan’s Lou Marinelli, 2025 AFCA Power of Influence Award Winner

2026 will mark Lou Marinelli's 48th year as a high school football head coach. Earlier this week, Marinelli's extraordinary career was honored at the annual American Football Coaches Association Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. This prestigious recognition is presented jointly by the American Football Coaches Association® and the American Football Coaches Foundation®. Marinelli was nominated by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association.

The Power of Influence Award was established as a means for the AFCA® and AFCF® to recognize deserving high school football coaches. Recipients are honored for their impact on their teams, as well as the lasting legacy they create within their schools and surrounding communities. This award is not determined by wins and losses; however, it's worth noting that coaches of powerful influence typically demonstrate both longevity and success. Winners are selected by members of the AFCF Board of Directors.

Marinelli has spent the past 44 years transforming New Canaan High School into a Connecticut high school football powerhouse. He has guided the Rams to 16 overall state championships, including an unprecedented four consecutive titles from 2022 through 2025.

As Connecticut's winningest high school football head coach in history, Marinelli's trophy case overflows with accolades earned throughout his distinguished career, including multiple FCIAC Coach of the Year honors, National Football Foundation Coach of the Year, Walter Camp Football Foundation's Connecticut Coach of the Year, 2022 Connecticut High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year, the Legendary Coach Award from MSG Network, the Gerald R. Ford Award for Outstanding Coaching, and the National Football League's New York Giants Lou Rettino Coach of the Year in 2008.

Marinelli stands just one victory away from his 400th win at New Canaan. Following a perfect 13-0 campaign in 2025, his record at New Canaan sits at 399-107-6. Including his tenure at Mamaroneck and Yorktown in New York, his lifetime record as a head coach stands at 418-114-7.

Marinelli has been inducted into the Connecticut High School Hall of Fame, FCIAC Hall of Fame, Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Earlier this week, High School Football America's Jeff Fisher spoke with Coach Marinelli at the AFCA Convention to discuss the award and his remarkable coaching career. You can listen to that interview below.

2025 AFCA/AFCF Regional Power of Influence Award Winners

• Region 1: Lou Marinelli, New Canaan (Connecticut) High School
• Region 2: Roosevelt Nelson, Crestwood (South Carolina) High School
• Region 3: Tim Goodwin, Marion Local (Ohio) High School
• Region 4: Mike Snyder, Seminole (Oklahoma) High School
• Region 5: Jim Benkert, Simi Valley (California) High School

Past Power of Influence Award Winners

2024 - Mike O'Dwyer, Limon HS (Colorado)
2023 - Rodney Saulsberry, Whitehaven HS (Tennessee)
2022 - Dwight Lundeen, Becker HS (Minnesota)
2021 - Bill Blankenship, Owasso HS (Oklahoma)
2020 - Don Smolyn, Lenape Valley HS (New Jersey)
2019 - Dave Nelson, Minnetonka HS (Minnesota)
2018 - Rick Jones, Greenwood HS (Arkansas)
2017 - Allan Trimble, Jenks HS (Oklahoma)
2016 - Tony DeMatteo, Somers HS (New York)
2015 - Sam Harrell, Fort Worth Christian HS (Texas)
2014 - Ott Hurrle, Scecina Memorial HS (Indiana)
2013 - Bob Burt, Cypress HS (California)
2012 - Andy Lowry, Columbine HS (Colorado)
2011 - Noel Dean, Lowell HS (Michigan)
2010 - Brent Steuerwald, Shenendehowa HS (New York)
2009 - Jim Drewry, Booneville HS (Mississippi)
2008 - George Smith, St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Florida)
2007 - Rob Younger, Sweet Home HS (Oregon)
2006 - Sid Otton, Tumwater HS (Washington)
2005 - Ron Stolski, Brainerd HS (Minnesota)
2004 - Marcus Borden, East Brunswick HS (New Jersey)
2003 - John McKissick, Summerville HS (South Carolina)
2002 - Larry Dippel, Amarillo HS (Texas)