Jerry Flora

Bio

Name: Jerry Flora

Coaching Experience – 32 Years

Jerry Flora has coached and mentored student athletes for 32 years while having been a Head Football in College and High School for 13 years. Prior to arriving at Stepinac High School, Flora was the Head Football Coach at Sleepy Hollow High School while serving as the Vice President for the Section 1 Coaches Football Association.

In three seasons, ten players are continuing their careers in college either playing or working in football operations highlighted by Aren Arduino (2021 Grad) currently working in University of Virginia's football recruiting department, Scott Klami (2024 grad) continuing on to work in football operations for Cortland State and Shannon Klami (2204 grad) working at SUNY Cobleskill in athletic operations . Most recently the program turned the corner by winning the most games for the first time since 2017, headlined by Evan Bowen 2025 Prospect earning All-State HM, All Section, All League Class B while becoming the programs 7th 1000 yd back. While at Sleepy Hollow Flora coordinated the Junior Horsemen/Cheer Program, organized a Golf Outing Fundraiser, Implemented the Programs First Ring of Honor, participated in many community service initiatives with the Gullotta house (Polar Plunge, Los Andes Bakery Holiday Celebration, Tarrytown Historical Society Spring Clean Up & the Sleepy Hollow Food Pantry. Flora also coordinated a college coaches fair for prospective HS players and served as the Head Football Coach for the South of the Section 1 Exceptional Senior Game for two seasons.

Jerry Flora served as the Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach at Kean University in 2018. Prior to Kean, Coach Flora worked on the William Paterson Pioneers football staff since 2002. His last ten seasons (08–17) were spent as the Head Coach, amassing thirty-three wins with four All-Americans, three All-ECAC selections, three d3football.com All-region selections and 68 All-NJAC selections. His 33 victories place him second all-time in victories at William Paterson. Flora developed a student worker program highlighted by Anthony Pietanza (Stony Brook, New York Giants, Rutgers - Video Operations), Kyle McGough (UCLA & Michigan) Strength & Conditioning Intern & Anthony Cimino (Director of Football Operation-WPU). Flora also served as the Chairperson of the AFCA District 2 All American Committee from 2015-2017.

Prior to arriving at William Paterson, Flora coached at Division I-AA Iona College (1992-96, 1998-2001), mentoring the wide receivers. Also, the special team’s coordinator and alumni relations liaison, he helped lead his alma mater to the inaugural Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title in 1993. In between, Flora was the offensive line coach at FDU-Florham (1997-98).

Flora is married 26 years to his wife Diane who works as an office admin at Our Lady of Sorrows School in White Plains while having three children Francis (12th Grade WPHS), and twins Charlotte and Dominic (Entering 9th Grade WPHS). The family resides in White Plains, NY.

Other Accomplishments
Bachelor’s in business management – Iona University (Feb 1993)
Master of Science in School Administration – Iona University - (Feb 2002)
Permanent NYS Certification – School Administration/Supervision (Sept 2002)
Permanent NYS Physical Education Certification
Certificate of Eligibility – School Administration – New Jersey (2019)
Assistant Director of Recreation/Director of Club Sports (2017-2019) - WPU

In 2013, Flora's Coaching Staff consisted of 3 former NFL players (Shaun Williams -was selected 24th overall by the New York Giants in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft, Stanley "Tony" Woods - The 18th overall selection of the 1987 NFL Draft, Woods spent six years as a member of the Seattle Seahawks (1987-92) before moving on to the Los Angeles Rams (1993) and the Washington Redskins (1994-96), Torrance "Tank" Daniels - who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and made his NFL debut on Nov. 26, 2006, against the Indianapolis Colts. In 2007, Daniels was picked up by the New York Giants, where he was a part of the Super Bowl championship team.

In 2013 William Paterson Football made National Media as Four Football Pioneers Are Featured by National, Local Media for Honest Act . Four members of the William Paterson University football program have received local, regional and national media attention after they were seen on a surveillance system leaving money to pay for their purchases at an unattended local store. See post attached - https://www.wpupioneers.com/news/2013/8/27/gen_0827132420.aspx

Owner-Jerry Flora Sports Services/National Recruiter – Placed over 60 Prospects throughout the US from Prep Schools to FBS Schools football/track & baseball playing schools.

2024 Attendee SMWW Conference at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis
Professional Certificate-Sports Management Worldwide, Football GM & Scouting (2020)

Mentored the 2008 NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year, NJAC 2013 Special Teams Player of the Year & 2014 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Twenty-one players participated in National All-Star Games in coaching career at WPU.

Thirty-seven student-athletes garnered academic all-league laurels during a five-year span, including academic all-district selections German Decena (2012), Ryan Gresik (2013) and Jake Stockton-Rossini (2014).

Three players earned the Arthur Ashe Jr Jr National Sports Scholar Award
2009, 2011 & 2013 (National Finalist)

German Decena was named one of the ten male national finalists for the Diverse: Issues in Higher Education 2013 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award

Former Pioneer Players who were Professional Prospects
2009 – Joel Rivera – New York Jets
2012 – Leer Biddle – Philadelphia Soul – Arena Football League
2013 – Dashawn Johnson – Green Bay Packers/Arena Football League Veteran
2014 – Michael Vannucci – Played Pro in Europe
2015 – Matt Deiana – New York Giants – Played Pro in Germany
2015 – Dwaine Dabney – New York Giants
2016 – Anthony DiMarsico – New York Jets

In Flora’s first season as the HFC (2008) his quick-strike philosophy as the offensive coordinator made the Pioneers one of the most prolific passing attacks in the league, as William Paterson improved from second-to-last (127.6 yards/game) in the 2006 NJAC stats to fourth (218.9 yards/game) in the 2008 team rankings.

Recruited and/or developed three former William Paterson University Hall of Fame members including Pioneer all-time career receiving yardage and receptions leaders Kareen Moon, and later, Joel Rivera along with former standout Ryan Gresik (2012, 2013), the Pioneers’ all-time passing leader.

As an assistant at WPU in each of his first six seasons, one of Flora’s wide receivers earned all-conference laurels (Bryant Richardson, 2002-03; Moon, 2004-07).

In addition, he was instrumental in the recruitment of several other all-NJAC performers, , Chris Schule (2009), Keith Sayball (2009), Jeffrey Arista (2008), Chuck Patterson (2007), Frank Musolino (2007), Shadee Davis (2005), Tim Dolan (2006), Dan Casasnovas (2005-06) and Tom Larsen (2003, 2005).

Served in numerous capacities as an assistant coach in college.
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Offensive Coordinator
Recruiting Coordinator
Special Teams Coordinator
Academics Liaison
Coached every offensive position.
Also managed many of the program’s administrative duties

Flora was a three-year starter at offensive tackle at Iona before emerging as the starting tight end his senior year, earning an invitation to try-out for the 1992 Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL.