A Legacy Etched in Every Yard: William Floyd to Honor Legendary Coach Paul Longo

The William Floyd School District will honor one of the most successful coaches in Suffolk County history when it officially names its Lincoln Avenue football field after former Colonials head coach Paul Longo.

The sign unveiling ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, ahead of William Floyd’s game against Walt Whitman. Longo stepped down last December after 31 years leading the Colonials, leaving behind a legacy defined by championships, consistency and a lasting impact on generations of student-athletes.

When Longo took over the varsity program in 1995, William Floyd had never won a playoff game. Over the next three decades, he transformed the Colonials into one of Long Island’s premier high school football programs and became the winningest public high school football coach in Suffolk County history.

Longo finished his career with 253 victories, 26 playoff appearances, 21 county championship game appearances, 15 Suffolk County titles and five Long Island championships. His teams also captured three Rutgers Trophies, awarded to the best team in Suffolk County, and earned a No. 20 national ranking from Sports Illustrated in 2007.

One of the program’s most remarkable achievements was a 42-game winning streak from 2005 to 2008, the longest in Suffolk County history.

For Longo, however, the honor represents far more than wins and championships. In reflecting on the field naming, he emphasized the players, coaches, families and community members who helped build the William Floyd football tradition.

“Having the William Floyd field named in my honor is something that is difficult to put into words,” Longo said. “A field is where games are played, championships are won, and memories are created. But to me, this field represents 31 years of my life, thousands of hard-working players, countless coaches, families, and a community that has meant more to me than I ever could adequately express.”

Longo added that the name on the field would represent everyone who contributed to the program, including players, coaches, parents, teachers, administrators, trainers, support staff, the Lynvet football program and alumni.

Although he is no longer leading the team from the sidelines, Longo said he will always remain part of the William Floyd community and one of the Colonials’ biggest fans.

“To have my name on the field is an incredible honor, but the greatest honor was being the coach of the William Floyd Colonials,” Longo said.

On Oct. 17, the field where so many of those memories were made will bear the name of the man who helped create them.