Long-Time Assistant Takes Over Program

Coach Dunn Retires; Dan Fisher Named New Head Basketball Coach

Monsignor Farrell President Lou Tobacco, Mike Dunn, and Dan Fisher

Mike Dunn, Monsignor Farrell High School’s all-time winningest varsity basketball coach, has stepped down after nearly two decades coaching the Lions. Dunn, the winner of the 1984 Jaques Award given to Staten Island’s top high school basketball player, played collegiately at Merrimack and Manhattan Colleges. He has been a part of the Farrell basketball coaching staff since 2007.

“Over the past 18 years I have been blessed to have the full support of Monsignor Farrell’s administration and the entire Farrell community,” Dunn noted, “especially from our former principal Bishop (Edmund) Whalen, and the current school leadership - president Lou Tobacco, principal Larry Musanti, and director of athletics Tony Garofalo,” he added.

Dunn began his coaching career at Farrell in 2007 when he was hired as the head freshman coach. Three years later, after compiling a 44-19 record, he was promoted to head varsity coach by then-principal Whalen. “I am forever grateful to Bishop Whalen for allowing me the opportunity to coach at Monsignor Farrell,” Dunn said. Whalen, who was elevated to Auxiliary Bishop of New York in 2019 after serving as Farrell’s Principal since 2010, described Dunn as ‘exactly what a coach should be’. “When I hired Mike as Head Basketball Coach at Monsignor Farrell, I knew we were bringing in a man of tremendous character, faith, and leadership,” Whalen said. “What he built over the years was far greater than a championship team—he built a program rooted in brotherhood, discipline, and Catholic values,” he added.

Coach Dunn Retires; Dan Fisher Named New Head Basketball Coach

Mike Dunn following the Lions’ 2023 NYS Federation A boys’ championship. (Kara Buzga for the Staten Island Advance)

Best in School History

Since taking over the basketball program in 2010, Dunn compiled a 233-143 record, making him the winningest varsity basketball coach in Farrell’s history. He eclipsed the previous record of 210 wins in the second game of the 2023 season after coaching the Lions to victory over Cardinal Spellman.

Dunn and the Lions also made history in 2023 by becoming the first high school boys basketball team from Staten Island to win the New York State Federation “A” boys’ Championship. Farrell also captured the NY City Catholic and State championships that year. “Guiding our Lions to the state championship is an incredible milestone that will forever be etched in Farrell history and Mike’s coaching legacy,” noted school president Lou Tobacco.

In addition to the historic 2023 campaign, Dunn led the Lions to numerous championships during his tenure:

Staten Island High School League Champions: 2015-2016
Catholic High School “A” Champions: 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2018-2019, 2022-2023
Catholic High School State Champions: 2016-2017, 2022-2023
NY State Federation Champions: 2022-2023

“Even more meaningful than all of the wins and accolades has been coach Dunn’s unwavering commitment to the formation of our student-athletes—mentoring them with integrity, discipline, and heart both on and off the court,” Tobacco explained. “On behalf of the entire Monsignor Farrell community, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Mike for his years of dedicated service to our basketball program and our school,” he added.

All in the Family

Quick to share in the success of the program, Dunn points to his Farrell family of players, assistant coaches, and their families, and the Farrell parents. “There is no way any of the accomplishments we made as a program happen without the coaching staff that I was so lucky to have help me along the way,” he noted. “I have also had the good fortune of coaching some of the finest young men during my time at Farrell. None of this happens without all of them,” Dunn added.

Included in the long list of former players are Mike’s two sons, Devin and Jake, who played for their dad at Farrell. “Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support from my own family,” said Dunn. “My wife Anna, Devin, Jake, and my daughter Allie have been there for me through the ups and downs and have pushed me to be the best I could be. I want them to know how proud I am to be their husband and father and how grateful I am for making me who I am.”

In addition to playing for him, Devin also coached with his dad at Farrell. As Mike’s head freshman coach, he guided the Lions to Staten Island and city championships and has served as one of Mike’s assistant coaches on the varsity. “It was pretty special to have coached both of my sons at Farrell,” said Mike. “I was blessed to have the experience of winning a championship with both sons - Jake as a player and Devin as a coach.”

Although Dunn will no longer be coaching, he will remain close to the program. “I’ll be here to support the program in any way that I can,” explained Dunn. “The memories and relationships will stay with me for the rest of my life.” He will also remain in his position as part of Monsignor Farrell’s leadership team, where he serves as the school’s director of campus safety and emergency preparedness.

In Great Hands

“It is with great pride that I announce the appointment of Dan Fisher, our assistant principal for academics and a proud Monsignor Farrell alumnus, to lead the next chapter of our basketball program,” said Tobacco. “Dan is a vital part of our school community—as an educator, administrator, and assistant coach—and his deep love for Farrell is evident in all that he does,” he added.

“It is an incredible honor to be named Head Coach of the Monsignor Farrell Basketball Program — a program I hold close to my heart, and one that has played a pivotal role in shaping the man I am today,” said Fisher.

Although excited to take over the program, Fisher laments the end of Dunn’s tenure. “While I am thrilled for this opportunity, it is also bittersweet, as it marks the end of coaching alongside my mentor and friend, Mike Dunn,” explained Fisher. “For the past 18 years, coach Dunn has been a guiding force in my life, both on and off the court. His leadership, wisdom, and example have shaped generations of young men, myself included, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have learned from one of the best to ever do it.”

“The program is in great hands under Danny, who has been my number-one assistant,” said Dunn. “He has been ready to take over the program for several seasons, and I know the time is right for him to make his mark as head of the Monsignor Farrell basketball program.”

Larry Musanti, who has been at Farrell for 55 years, was also effusive in his praise of the new head coach. “First, I would like to thank and congratulate Mike,” said Farrell’s Principal. “We couldn’t have asked for a better man to have guided our student-athletes than Mike. Not only is he a great ‘X’s and O’s’ guy, but he has served as an exemplary role model of what it means to be a Vir Fidelis, faithful man, both on and off the court.” Speaking about the new head coach, Musanti went on to say “I want to congratulate Danny on his new role. Working beside me as our Assistant Principal of Academics at Farrell, Danny has exhibited a level of professionalism, expertise, and dedication which assures me that he will be a most capable successor to Mike Dunn. His accomplishments as freshman head coach and his familiarity with the Monsignor Farrell basketball program and traditions are indicators that our student athletes are in good hands,” he added.

Coach Dunn Retires; Dan Fisher Named New Head Basketball Coach

Mike Dunn officially hands over the Farrell basketball program to new head coach Dan Fisher

About Coach Fisher

Fisher, a 2005 graduate of Monsignor Farrell, began his coaching career at his alma mater in 2008 as an assistant junior varsity coach while still in college. “Since high school, coaching has been a huge part of my life, and my family has allowed me to pursue this passion, even when it meant making sacrifices along the way,” said Fisher. “I thank my parents, my brother, and especially my wife Deana for their love and unwavering support.”

In 2010, he was named the head coach of Farrell’s freshman basketball team, a role he would remain in until 2020. During his tenure, Fisher led the Lions to three Staten Island High School titles and four CHSAA “A” championships. He was also a varsity assistant coach on Dunn’s staff while serving as head freshman coach.

“Danny’s coaching resume, knowledge of the game, and rapport with our students make him the perfect choice to run our basketball program,” said Tony Garofalo, Director of Athletics at Monsignor Farrell.

In addition to his coaching duties, Fisher will continue in his primary role of assistant principal of academics at Farrell.

“I am eternally grateful to Lou (Tobacco), Larry (Musanti), and Tony (Garofalo) for their confidence in me and for entrusting me with the responsibility of continuing the tradition of excellence that defines Monsignor Farrell Basketball,” Fisher explained. “I have the privilege of working closely with them each day, and I am thankful not only for this opportunity, but also for the ability to continue learning from their example of leadership, integrity, vision, and commitment.”

Smooth Transition

After notifying Farrell’s leadership, the announcement of the coaching changes was made by Dunn, first to his staff, and then to the members of the basketball program in a meeting on Thursday, May 1st, at Farrell with Tobacco, Musanti, Garofalo, and new head coach Fisher. “That was a tough one,” admitted Dunn, “but I’m excited to embrace my new role supporting coach Fisher and his staff.”

The new head coach expects a smooth transition into his role as head coach. “Although sad to see Mike step away from coaching, the team is excited for next season,” Fisher explained. “They are already in the weight room working on strength and conditioning and many of them will work as counselors for me at our basketball camp during the summer.”

Fisher and the Lions won’t officially begin until tryouts are held in November. “I’m looking forward to getting started and building on the strong foundation laid before me, and continuing the work of shaping not only great athletes, but great men,” said Fisher.

When asked about next season, Fisher highlighted the number of returning players he expects to have on the roster. “The guys from last year’s team will bring experience and serve as mentors for the younger players coming up,” he explained. “I just really want to get started,” Fisher admitted. “Monsignor Farrell has always been more than a school to me — it is a home, a community, and a mission. Whether serving as assistant principal and now also as head coach of the basketball program, I am proud to continue working to develop the next generation of Lions — young men who are faithful, selfless, and committed to excellence both in the classroom and on the basketball court.”

Coach Dunn Retires; Dan Fisher Named New Head Basketball Coach