Interview: Frank Gendusa reviving St. Martin’s football program

We have seen this situation before. He has been part of this picture before.

For many years, Frank Gendusa has worked at smaller private schools known more than academics than for football.

That was the case for him at Newman, where he spent 24 years, including 10 as head coach.

That was the case at Country Day School of Fort Worth, Texas, where he was the head coach for three years.

Now, he is in the same boat at St. Martin’s Episcopal, where the Saints have struggled in recent years.

In his 43rd year of coaching, Gendusa has stabilized an unstable program at St. Martin’s, improving the numbers, improving the quality of player and the record is improving after going 3-7 in Gendusa’s first season in 2019.

After two weeks of the 2020 season, St. Martin’s is 2-0, with wins over Fisher and Thomas Jefferson. The Saints have outscored their two opponents by a 64-13 margin.

Speaking on The Three Tailgaters Show on 106.1 FM Saturday morning, Gendusa said he is rejuvenated in his second year on the job.

“It just seemed like the right time and the right fit for me,” Gendusa said. “I worked with Dr. Merry Sorrells (at Newman) previously and we work well together. I still love getting out on the field. I still love going to work every day. It’s been nice. I’m planning on going on for another handful of years.”

Gendusa knew the job at St. Martin’s would be a challenge.

“It’s a rebuilding kind of process,” Gendusa said. “It was a challenge and that’s one of the things I really liked stepping up to, having another challenge to deal with. I thought that was really good for me. Going to a Class A school where our enrollment is about 185, you just don’t have a lot of kids to choose from.

I’m trying to build a program. I had 19 or 20 kids my first year. Last year, I had over that 25-year mark. I’ve got 30 dressed out this year and hopefully, we can get to that 35-40 range. I think the program will be pretty solid then.”

One of the reasons for the success thus far is the fact that the Saints have some size.

“I actually have 11 linemen which is unusual,” Gendusa said. “I’m used to having five or six linemen and trying to play everybody both ways. We’re trying to balance offense and defense and make sure what’s going on with everything. It’s been a real challenge.”

The Saints are 2-0, thanks to the contributions of several key players.

“I have a handful of really nice seniors this year,” Gendusa said. “Monte Lewis has taken over our tailback spot right now is just doing a really good job. He had 131 yards in the first game and another 93 or so in the second game. He’s six-foot-two, 215 pounds. Jonathan Castaneda is right round six-feet and weighs 250 and both of them can run and are big backs.”

While there is size in the backfield, there is speed as well.

My little freshman, Kaheam Smith, he had a 40-yard touchdown run the other night,” Gendusa said. “It was something special to watch. He’s got the kind of moves and speed that I haven’t had at St. Martin’s in the last few years.”

Another two-way player has excelled as well.

“Gavin Sperandeo is playing more defensively right now but he’s like that third or fourth back and he gets in there when we need to put him in and I don’t see a lot of drop-off,” Gendusa said.

A family tie is helping the Saints quite a bit as well in sophomore tight end Grant Gendusa.

“My grandson is six-foot-three, weighs 225, he catches the ball well, he blocks well,” Gendusa said. “We’re a tight end kind of laden team. We like running the football but we can also run that play-action pass stuff to him.”

The leader of the offense is sophomore Matt Mannino.

“I’ve got to give him credit,” Gendusa said. “He’s only a sophomore. I stuck him in at quarterback last year as a freshman and it was a real learning experience, but he’s really come around, too! It’s been a progression and I think we’re still on that growing side of things but things are looking a lot better.”

Gendusa gives a lot of credit to his success to his mentor at Newman.

“I had a very good coach in Tony Reginelli,” Gendusa said. “Coach taught me a lot of things. Coach Reg is in the hospital. He’s a little worn out but I talked to his son, Reggie, the other day and he’s doing better. He was a great teacher for me. He taught me that kids could be successful in the classroom and also on the playing field.

What he taught me most was humility, caring, understanding the program you’re in. I love him to death. He is one of those icons who has influenced me the most.”

St. Martin’s hosts Centerville this coming Friday night. Still to come are games with Country Day, Riverside, Ecole Classique and West St. John. St. Martin’s appears poised to compete well and surpass the 3-win mark of a year ago, even with fewer games.

“We feel that way and for the first time , I really think the kids believe that they are a team,” Gendusa said. “Sometimes, it just takes a little time for them to realize what you’re trying to produce and what you’re trying to put on the field. They really are jelling as a team. We’ve got a chance to make a little noise. We hope that we’re playing on Friday after Thanksgiving. Nothing would be better for us to make a run and get into the playoffs.”

In the process, the Saints will get the very most from a dedicated, motivated coach.

“I just enjoy going to work every day,” Gendusa said. “I just love going to work and working with kids and then watching them perform. It’s just so rewarding.”