Marinelli expected to be hired by UConn
Former Greenwich coach, New Canaan native comes home
John Marinelli is coming home.
The former Greenwich High football coach who left for the college ranks two years ago, is returning to Connecticut to become a member of the UConn coaching staff, according to a source close to Marinelli. Although his deal nor his position are finalized, an announcement is expected to come next week.
Marinelli coached for four seasons at Greenwich, compiling a 36-10 record. In 2018 he led Greenwich to a 13-0 record and its first CIAC Class LL title since 2007. He also led Greenwich to two consecutive FCIAC championships and was named the 2018 USA Today Connecticut Coach of the Year.
Marinellli, now in his mid-30s, left Greenwich for a job in the college ranks, joining the Arizona football staff for its 2019 season as an analyst. Although he was retained as an assistant quarterbacks coach while the head coaching position role transitioned from Kevin Sumlin to Jedd Fisch in 2021, Marinelli would eventually land elsewhere.
In March 2021, Marinelli was hired as a senior football analyst at Illinois under coach Bret Bielema. Marinelli was responsible for working “on special projects including analytics and situational strategy development.”
Marinelli comes to UConn under new head coach Jim Mora, who has started the process of building his staff as the 2021 season winds down. It remains unclear whether any current staff members will be retained, although it is possible interim coach Lou Spanos, who served on Mora’s staff at UCLA will remain in some capacity.
Noel Mazzone, a former UCLA coordinator and hired by UConn in midSeptember as an offensive analyst, could also be retained and promoted to offensive coordinator. Mazzone was the offensive coordinator at Arizona while Marinelli was there, so a clear connection exists.
The Connecticut connection with Marinelli seems to be a key part of the hire. Marinelli was a state champion while playing at New Canaan under his father, the legendary high school coach Lou Marinelli. The younger Marinelli would then go on to play at Fordham before transferring to Trinity.
Mora, hired earlier this month, has stated he plans to recruit in state and establish relationships around Connecticut. He has already connected with several coaches around the state by phone and in person. Wednesday, he spent the night in Madison watching the Hand vs. Guilford rivalry game. On Thanksgiving, the UConn coach watched NFA vs. New London.
The established relationship the Marinelli family has throughout the coaching ranks on the high school and prep level in the state is expected to prove beneficial for the Huskies in recruiting.
The hire also allows Marinelli to move closer to his family and settle with his wife, Anna, and their son Luke. Marinelli was spotted in Illinois gear at the Darien-New Canaan game Thursday.
Illinois is 4-7 and closes out its regular season Saturday vs. Northwestern. UConn, 1-10, will end its season Saturday at home vs. No. 19 Houston.