Andy Marlow Named Huntington Wrestling Head Coach

Andy Marlow is headed back to where his coaching career began more than 30 years ago after being appointed by the Huntington School Board as the Blue Devil varsity wrestling team’s 11th all-time head coach. He will lead Huntington High School into its 76th season next winter.

Marlow apprenticed under Huntington’s iconic National Wrestling Hall of Fame coach Lou Giani, serving as a volunteer high school assistant and J. Taylor Finley Middle School coach during the 1992/93 and 1993/94 seasons.

During his time under Giani on the Blue Devil staff, Marlow worked closely with eventual Huntington state champion Jimmy Amira as well as Richard Medico, Tim Puskas, Luis Bonilla and Adrian Bonilla, who reached the state finals. He also developed on his two teams at Finley many of the wrestlers that helped Huntington win the 1998 Section XI championship.

Marlow’s connection to Giani continued through the years with the Hall of Famer always being available for a consultation with his former protégé and to offer advice when needed. Marlow learned how to coach in the Huntington High School wrestling room.

“I’m humbled and excited to be named the next in line to head this historic program,” said Marlow this past Monday night after trustees approved his appointment during a public meeting. “I’m truly blessed that my journeys in wrestling have led me to this point and full circle to where I started my coaching career many years ago.”

After leaving Huntington in 1994, Marlow went on to a successful coaching career over 27 seasons at Nassau and Suffolk high schools. He coached his own three sons at Northport, including Matthew, a three-time Suffolk and two-time New York State champion.

“In Andy Marlow, the Blue Devils are getting the best of the best,” said Huntington UFSD Director of Athletics Jim Hoops. “His record speaks for itself. His presence in our wrestling room immediately elevates our program. Huntington is committed to providing the best experience possible to our wrestlers and to all of our athletes. Bringing Andy Marlow onto our staff doubles down on that commitment. We are very confident he is going to develop every wrestler into the best they can possibly be.”

The veteran mat mentor is excited to be back with the Blue Devils after all these years. “The Huntington wrestling program is like the New York Yankees or the Notre Dame football program.” Marlow said. “The history and tradition are there, as are the standards and expectations for success; every year. I understand this and look forward to the process of restoring this program.”

Marlow is taking over from Travis Smith, who stepped aside as head coach after nine seasons during which he compiled an overall record of 81-30. Marlow will be joined by Huntington High School alum Anthony Annunziata and longtime Blue Devil wrestling coach Michael Marinello, who also serves as the district’s coordinator of physical education and athletics.

In its previous 75 seasons, the Huntington High School wrestling program has an all-time record of 652-212-7 with 32 league dual meet crowns, 23 league tournament titles, nine Suffolk championships and state tournament team titles in 1973, 1976, 1980, 2002 and 2004.

Marlow’s goals for Huntington are the same ones Giani had at the start of every season: league, county and state titles. He’s committed to developing the skills of anyone willing to come through the door of the Huntington wrestling room and challenge himself to be the best they can possibly be. From that little wrestling room have come 27 New York State champions.

“Huntington always had and still does have great athletes,” Marlow said. “I’m looking forward to developing those great athletes into great wrestlers and giving them a great experience during their time in Huntington.”

The Huntington High School wrestling team traces its roots back to 1933 when the school sponsored a boxing and wrestling club. The club led to the creation of an interscholastic team for the 1937 and 1938 seasons before the sport disappeared again until 1951-52. It has been offered ever since then.

The 1934 high school yearbook states “Boxing and wrestling, a club long desired by the students of H.H.S. was, for the first time, taken up seriously and successfully this year. Under expert supervision, great strides were taken in the development of individual talents. The boys, realizing the importance of healthy bodies, endeavored to include in their organization such means as would prove directly beneficial to their physical developments.”