Long Island’s man of many hats Tom Sheedy retiring from HS football

This Chief has been quite the leader of young men.

Tom Sheedy, a storied Long Island football coach who started his career nearly 50 years ago, is stepping away from the fall sport after three decades solely in blue and gold.

“The time with the kids is so special after school… I love those two hours with them every single day,” Sheedy, who will remain as Massapequa’s longtime varsity baseball manager, told The Post.

He has worn many hats since joining the Chiefs program in 1995, serving as a varsity assistant and holding several positions on the JV team as well. Sheedy has been developing the next generation of talent — and enthusiasm for the gridiron — as an assistant at Berner Middle School for the past four seasons.

“Coach’s influence reaches far beyond wins and losses. The time, energy, and care he’s devoted to Massapequa’s youth has shaped generations of players and families,” the program wrote in tribute on Instagram. 

The honor is all Coach Sheedy’s, however.

“I should be the one thanking them,” said the man who announces Massapequa varsity games and will assist in the playoffs for the undefeated AAA No. 1 seed.

Sheedy’s journey into football was fate in itself as he found himself thrust onto the sidelines of Holy Trinity High School in 1979 after applying for a baseball job with the Catholic School.

“I knew nothing about football… but they needed a coach,” he said.

The newcomer eventually got the hang of things and went on to have success at schools like Chaminade and Kellenberg before ultimately settling into his lengthy Chief roles.

He loves being an assistant for more time and quality interactions with the boys rather than focusing on macro-level management.

The attitude will be different in the spring, when Sheedy tries to repeat as Long Island champions after a robust 2025 campaign leading into the state tournament.