RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Earlier this month, Manhattan University Athletics announced the hiring of
Frank Jennaco, who will serve as the first-ever Head Coach of the Women's Flag Football program, set to begin play in the fall of 2026 as a part of the 2026-27 academic year.
"It is truly an honor to serve as the inaugural Head Coach of Women's Flag Football at Manhattan University. Competing at the Division I level is a goal I have worked toward throughout my career, and achieving it represents the fulfillment of a lifelong dream," said Jennaco.
"The support and commitment from Manhattan has been nothing short of exceptional. With the resources, vision, and belief they have shown in our program and in the growth of women's flag football, we are positioned to build something special. Manhattan is poised to become a leader in Division I flag football across the Northeast, and with the elite athletes we plan to recruit, the potential of this program is limitless."
Flag football has been added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program effective January 16, recognized as one of the fastest-growing sports in the country at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels. Eight sports since 1994 have successfully become NCAA championship sports, such as rowing, ice hockey, water polo, bowling, beach volleyball, and women's wrestling.
RCX Sports Foundation, in collaboration with USA Football and NFL Flag, proudly supports the growth of women's flag football at the collegiate level.
Most recently, Jennaco spent two seasons building the first collegiate women's flag football program in New York City at the College of Staten Island. There, he guided the Dolphins to an overall record of 17-3 including 15 shutouts. In 2024-25, Jennaco led the team to an undefeated 11-0 regular season, averaging 34.5 points a contest with a strong defense only allowing 2.1.
Jennaco also led CSI to a National Collegiate Flag Football League (NCFFL) National Championship, a league he operated as the founder and president of beginning in 2024. Today, the league stands as the largest women's collegiate flag football league across the United States, where he manages oversight, operations, and partnerships for the organization.
At the youth level, Jennaco is the founder and Director of Football Operations for the New York Knights club program, serving as head coach for the 14U and 17U divisions. His teams won 15 separate tournaments across various divisions, while finishing runner-up in the SHS and WRTW National Championships.
Prior to his recent endeavors, Jennaco held three head coaching stints, most recently at Next Level Sports (2015-2024), winning three Gold Division Championships. From 2019-2021, at THT Flag Football, acting as head coach for the 17U level, his teams won six tournaments, as well as being named two-time NFL Flag Regional Champions. In two separate years in 2020 and 2021, his team was given a #1 national ranking.
For one season in 2022, at SIG Flag Football, Jennaco was once again head coach, this time for 14U, 12U, and the 7 vs. 7 high school division. His 14U squad also won the NFL Flag Regional Championship, while the 12U squad was declared WRTW National Champions.
Jennaco is a USA Football Gold Level certified coach, as well as earning NFL Flag Coach Certifications.
"The future is incredibly bright, and the Mean Green Manhattan Machine is officially full steam ahead!"
