Ciao Talk

By Joey Knight
Published March 28, 2007

What they're saying about Dominick Ciao, introduced Tuesday as Berkeley Prep's new coach:

"The thing you notice being around Coach Ciao is, you see so many former players he had that (have) come around and keep in contact with him. He's built a tremendous bond and respect with the players he has coached." - Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, whose son, Chris, played at Jesuit for Ciao.

"Coach Ciao will do anything for a player to get him in college, he'll do anything to help a player get on track. ...I know, for me, he bent over backwards to help me get in college." - 1997 Jesuit graduate Josh Cervi, who earned a football scholarship to Boston College

"I learned character and humility from Dom Ciao." - Plant coach Bob Weiner, who spent 15 years as a Ciao assistant

"He's a tremendous coach and a friend. He takes a genuine interest in you, whether you're the manager, best player on the team or another assistant coach. He's a standup guy. I couldn't think of a better situation for Berkeley." - 1997 Jesuit graduate and current Plant assistant Matt Walker

"I hadn't heard about (his hiring). That's fantastic. He's in my mind a legendary coach and a person I have great admiration for. Frankly, I think we missed him." - Tampa Catholic coach Bob Henriquez, who went 2-7 against Ciao's teams during his first tenure (1991-99) with the Crusaders

"He was always willing to do whatever he had to for the student-athlete. He sent a countless number of student-athletes to college football at all levels and I think any player that's ever played for Coach Ciao has the utmost respect for him and will do anything he asks on the field." - Former Jesuit and Georgia Tech quarterback George Godsey, quarterbacks coach at the University of Central Florida

[Last modified March 28, 2007, 00:40:26]