Coach John Drennan
John Drennan grew up on the South Shore in Pleasant Plains and attended Tottenville High School at a time when the school did not field a football team. John starred on the sandlots for the Plainsmen along with his brothers, Bob, Dennis and Greg. John went on to be a three year starter at Wagner College where he was a standout on the 1967 undefeated team. While at Wagner, John met his future wife Alvina and the couple had four children - Jessica, Adrienne, Justine and John Jr. The Drennan's settled in Eltingville and John started his career in teaching. It was during the 1968 teachers strike that the NYC Fire Department called and John fulfilled his lifelong ambition to become a fire fighter where he quickly rose to the rank of Captain.
Tottenville started its football program in the fall of 1969. In 1970, John returned to his alma mater as a volunteer coach for the team's first varsity season. He was named an assistant in 1971 and on October 6, 1972, 3 games into that season, John was appointed replacement head coach. Under Coach Drennan's leadership, the Pirates rallied to overcome the adversity of the coaching change as well as challenges associated with the student body's move to the newly built high school in Huguenot. With no home field, Tottenville went undefeated in the Island PSAL which solidified Drennan's position as head coach. Highlights from the season were the come from behind, late minute road wins over rival New Dorp and Bishop Gibbons High School of Schenectady, the 8th ranked team in New York State at the time!
Coach Drennan established a new winning spirit, toughness, character and brand of football at Tottenville. Although his tenure was short, the Pirates won more than twice the number of games that they lost under Coach Drennan. The 1974 team captured both the Island PSAL and SIHSL titles. The pinnacles of that memorable season were Tottenville's first ever varsity win against Monsignor Farrell, as well as, making its inaugural appearance in the PSAL City Championship playoffs. Coach Drennan was a great teacher, a player's coach, and a man's man. He inspired and was admired by all that had the fortune to know him. His impact and the lives he changed was meaningful and remarkable as many of his former players went to follow in his footsteps to Wagner College and the NYC Fire Department.
Captain Drennan was a legend in the NYC Fire Department who was highly decorated for his many acts of bravery and heroism. We tragically lost Captain Drennan from injuries sustained while battling a Greenwich Village blaze March 28, 1994. It was only after a courageous fight for life that lasted forty days and forty nights, capturing the hearts of New Yorkers as well as the country, that we sadly said goodbye to our hero, coach, mentor and friend.
"A man's life is measured by his acts and deeds and what he leaves behind. In days past, men would sit around campfires and sing songs of their heroes. In days to come, brave men will sit around kitchen tables and speak reverent voices of the legend and legacy of John Drennan and wish they could be just like him." -eulogy by Fire Commissioner Howard Safir.
John lived his life with clear purpose, incredible courage, enormous strength and with great dignity. Knowing John Drennan, playing for John or working with John enriched your life and made you a better person for it. He will be remembered and forever missed.