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Monmouth University defensive coordinator Louis DiRienzo Jr., a rising college football coach who was preparing for his first season leading the Hawks’ defense, died unexpectedly, the university announced Wednesday. He was 34.
DiRienzo joined Monmouth’s football staff in February 2025 as linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator before being promoted to defensive coordinator in January 2026.
“On behalf of Monmouth Athletics, we are heartbroken by the unexpected passing of coach DiRienzo,” Monmouth athletics director Jennifer Sansevero said in a statement. “Lou was an outstanding coach, mentor and colleague whose passion for developing young men and love for the game made an immediate impact on our football program.”
Sansevero said DiRienzo’s kindness and ability to build meaningful relationships left a lasting impression on the university community.
Monmouth head coach Jeff Gallo called DiRienzo “a great person, father and coach, saying the Yonkers, N.Y., native made a significant impact on the program in his short time at Monmouth.
“He poured into our players and program, making a tremendous impact during his time here,” Gallo said.
DiRienzo helped oversee one of the Coastal Athletic Association’s most improved defenses during his lone season with the Hawks. Monmouth forced 17 turnovers and recorded 31 sacks in 2025, ranking fourth in the conference, while reducing its points allowed by 5.7 points per game from the previous season.
Before joining Monmouth, DiRienzo spent five seasons at Springfield College, including four as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. During that span, Springfield won four consecutive New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference championships, and DiRienzo was named the Gridiron Club of New England Division II/III Co-Assistant Coach of the Year in 2023.
“Lou represented the very best of Springfield College,” Springfield athletics director Craig Poisson said in a statement. “While his accomplishments on the football field were impressive, it was the relationships he built with our students and student-athletes that truly defined him. His impact will be measured not only in wins and championships, but in the lives he helped shape.”
His coaching career also included positions at Rutgers University as special teams quality control coach in 2019 and Wagner College in 2018, where he coached outside linebackers and helped mentor future Northeast Conference and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year Cam Gill.
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DiRienzo played football at New Rochelle High School under his father, longtime coach Louis DiRienzo Sr., earning All-State, All-County, All-Section and All-League honors. He went on to play linebacker at Southern Connecticut State University, serving as a team captain before earning a bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2016. He later received a master’s degree in physical education from Springfield College.
DiRienzo is survived by his wife, Allison; twin daughters, Audrina and Giavanna; his parents, Carol and Louis DiRienzo Sr.; his brother, Andrew; and his sister-in-law, Courtney.
Wake services are scheduled for Thursday at Westchester Funeral Home, with funeral services to be held Friday at Assumption of Our Lady Church in New York.
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