Mastroianni On Leave As Teacher, Asked To Resign As Coach

MADISON, CT — Daniel Hand High School social studies teacher Dave Mastroianni was placed on paid leave while district officials review a "personal" matter concerning the educator and coach.

Mastroianni resigned as head of the Hand Tigers Tuesday, as was first reported by the New Haven Register, citing health reason for his departure. Mastroianni has twice been diagnosed with cancer.

But Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice said the resignation was a mutual decision between the district and Mastroianni.

"Given Mr. Mastrioanni's health issues, combined with personal matters, he agreed that it would be best for him to resign as the head coach of the Daniel Hand High School football team," Scarice said.

And as to the personal matter, Scarice said it does not involve any students.

“At no point have we received allegations, or determined any improper conduct with students. We have been reviewing this matter as we receive information, and additional information was brought to our attention during the ongoing review of this situation," he said in an email to Patch.

The nature of the issue was not made clear but on a recent Patch story about him leaving, a number of people made allegations against him that resulted in Patch having to shutter comments on the story.

Scarice said "...it was decided to place Mr. Mastroianni on administrative leave, with pay, and without prejudice, while we continue to conduct our review. Given that this is a personnel matter, it would not be appropriate to comment further.”

Longtime former championship-winning Hand coach Steve Filippone was brought back it in to run the program.

"We are fortunate to have Steve Filippone continue to work in our school over the years since his retirement as head football coach," Scarice said.

Scarice, when asked by another media outlet, said he has no reservations about appointing Filippone.

In 2005 as reported by the Hartford Courant, seven male Daniel Hand High School teens, some football players, were charged with smuggling steroids from Mexico into the U.S. during the height of doping scandals throughout professional sports. The then-boys, reported by a teacher, were charged, some suspended from school and two expelled.

Filippone, Hand's football coach then, told the Courant the incident was an embarrassment:

"We went through the ringer. But we tried to learn from it. I think we did. I think we responded to it."

A new district policy concerning steroids was enacted at the time.

In response to concerns now about Filippone as it relates to that incident nearly 15 years ago, Scarice said: "We categorically reject the notion that any concerns would arise regarding the appointment of Steve Filippone as our football coach."

He said that during a trail for one of the boys charged, "at no point did any witness testify that Steve Filippone was aware of any improprieties."