RECRUITING AREAS: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia
Greg Gigantino begins his 10th year as an assistant coach at Bryant University in 2016 and his ninth as the team's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
The 2015 Bulldogs featured three of the top tackling linebackers in program history; Aaron Dixon, Marquise Watson and Patrick Kenney. Gigantino watched as Dixon and Watson became just the eighth and ninth players in school history to reach the 200-tackle plateau.
Gigantino guided one of the top defenses in the country in 2014 and produced one of the top players in program history. The Bulldogs finished the season fifth in the country in scoring defense (16.1) and ninth in total defense (299.9). Senior defensive end Jeff Covitz ended his storied career by becoming the NEC's all-time leader in career sacks and became the first Bryant player to earn NEC Defensive Player of the Year honors. He went on to earn three All-American citations and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award (Top defensive player in the FCS).
In 2013, Gigantino's defense featured one of the best defensive lines in program history. Leading the way was Covitz who set a program record with 20.5 tackles for a loss on his way to All-NEC and All-New England honors. Coach Gigantino's defense finished 33 sacks, 15 interceptions and allowed 25.2 points per game.
Gigantino worked with a young group in 2012 as the Bulldogs featured six underclassmen in the starting lineup. Jeff Covitz thrived in the Bulldogs' defensive system as he posted a team-high eight sacks and 17 tackles for a loss on his way to All-NEC and All-New England honors. Freshman linebacker Aaron Dixon also had a stellar year, finishing with 61 tackles and three sacks.
In 2011, Gigantino's defense finished third in the Northeast Conference, allowing just 25.1 points per game. Bryant's pass defense efficiency was second in the league at 112.6. Senior Franck Tebou led the defense with 98 tackles, while freshman Jeff Covitz posted 3.5 sacks.
In 2010, Coach Gigantino helped the Bulldogs limit opponents' passing games with a defensive unit that led the Northeast Conference in defensive pass efficiency in (108.9).
In 2009, the Bulldogs placed two defensive players on the Northeast Conference All-Conference teams including defensive end Don Smith who was tied for the team lead with eight sacks and finished his career with 17. Bryant led the NEC in scoring defense by allowing just 17.3 points per game and were ranked second in the NEC in both passing defense (141.5 ypg) and total defense (287.4 ypg).
Under Gigantino's direction, Bryant's defense played a key role in the team's 7-4 record in the program's first year competing in Division I in 2008. The Bulldogs finished the year ranked in the top-20 in several defensive categories, including sacks (T15th with 2.64 per game), turnovers gained (T12th - 30), interceptions (T17th - 17), scoring defense (29th -20.82) and rushing defense (16th - 100.82 yards allowed per game).
The 2007 Bryant defense helped lead the Bulldogs to their second-straight NE-10 Championship and second berth in the NCAA tournament. Bryant allowed only 17 rushing touchdowns all season and picked off 10 passes.
In 2006, the Bulldog defense allowed just 120 yards rushing and 139 yards passing per game en route to capturing the school's first-ever share of the Northeast-10 Conference Championship and berth in the NCAA?playoffs.
Gigantino, who has more than 30 years of coaching experience, came to Bryant in 2006 from Hofstra University where he served as the Associate Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator from 1990-1997 and 2001-2005 under the legendary and late coach Joe Gardi.
While at Hofstra, Gigantino helped the Pride qualify for four Division I-AA playoffs (1990, 1995, 1997, 2001) and helped the program earn a top-10 national ranking during the 2001 season.
Prior to arriving at Hofstra, Gigantino was an assistant coach/defensive coordinator at Cornell University from 1998-2000.
During his career, Gigantino has coached at Lehigh University (1989), Davidson College (1985-88), Iona College (1984-85), Rutgers (1978-84) and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1977-78). He is a 1977 graduate of Wagner College.
Gigantino has three children, Sarah, who is the Scouting Administration Coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, Charles, who is currently working on his bachelor’s degree, and Laura, who works at the Suffolk County Mental Health Outreach is married to Donald Siddons.
