The 83-year-old Long Island high school coach whos still going four NFL players later

The Blue Devils have a guardian angel in Fred Fusaro. At age 83, Huntington’s storied offensive and defensive line coach continues to leave a legacy for Long Island football after more than half a century of mentoring young men on the gridiron. “The camaraderie you develop with kids is where it’s at,” Fusaro, a former noseguard at Huntington, told The Post. “If you get involved in coaching, you’ve got to love it … and I love these kids,” added the volunteer, now in Year 2 with his alma mater as a super senior. The godfather of Long Island football has helped land four athletes in the NFL — most notably Giants Super Bowl champion John “Jumbo” Elliott, when Fusaro was the longtime Sachem head coach — and estimates more than 150 of his players went on to college ball over his 55 years. Fusaro now enjoys seeing his name atop the Sachem North varsity field as a way to honor his two Rutgers Cups, numerous county titles, and the character development he instilled in the young men of the Flaming Arrows over 34 years, until 2002. “He’s a humble man,” said former Sachem running back Dave Shanahan, who helped lead the school to a 1986 Rutgers Trophy. “Since I was a young man, he was always behind me and my decisions he thought were good for me.” Sure, Fusaro and Shanahan admitted it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows, as many of the most impactful moments came through tough love that the players took in stride. “If they know you care about them,” Fusaro said, “you can pretty much do whatever you want.” Beyond wins and losses — Fusaro said he has more than 200 victories — the most humbling honor is seeing how many of his former players he inspired to become coaches. “I would say there’s a minimum of 50,” Fusaro added.“You like to think that you’re doing something right.” When Fusaro stepped away from Sachem — he was ready to stop dealing with parents but certainly not the kids — his next career opport...