MacArthur football coach Bob Fehrenbach resigns abruptly, citing lack of connection with players
MacArthur head coach Bob Fehrenbach on Sept. 20. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
MacArthur football coach Bob Fehrenbach resigned after Monday's practice from the job he has held for 28 years, citing a lack of connection with his players.
Fehrenbach, 59, retired as a physical education teacher in 2025 and said not being around the students all day affected his work as the football coach.
“The connection wasn’t as close as years past, and I’d been struggling with this and thinking about it,” he said. “Being out of the building all day and not seeing them in class or in the halls was a problem for me. I thought summer 7 on 7s, the morning workouts with the middle school and elementary school camps would rejuvenate my enthusiasm.”
Fehrenbach led MacArthur to the regular-season Nassau Conference II crown in 2002 and 2019 and the Long Island Class II championship game in 2002 and 2015. His career record was 151-97-2.
“Every time I walked out of the house, it was, I have to go, not that I want to go, and that’s when you know it’s time,” Fehrenbach said. “When I reached that point it was time to retire.”
Fehrenbach told the team at the conclusion of Monday’s practice, the first official practice of the season.
“I wanted to address the staff and the players in person — that’s the way I operate,” he said. “They deserved to hear it from me. I know the timing isn’t right, but it wouldn’t be fair to coaches or the players if I continued.”
Fehrenbach said his three assistant coaches, Steve Fazzolari, Tommy Bobal and Ryan Cunningham are running Tuesday’s practice.
“It bothers me the most that I’m putting more on their plate, and I really feel bad about that,” he said. “I’m no longer the conductor. The band will still play, and the show must go on. The tough part is bringing someone in at this stage — our football meetings started in February.”
The district does not have a director of athletics after John Coscia resigned in June. MacArthur HIgh School is part of the Levittown school district.
Jay Hegi, the former Elmont High School head football coach, who accepted the varsity football position at Division this year, said Fehrenbach is one of the most well-liked coaches throughout the county and it’s a very sad day in Levittown.
“Bobby is well-liked amongst his peers and officials,” Hegi said. “Everyone speaks highly of him and he’s respected by all. No one saw this coming. It’s shocking.”
Fehrenbach said he’ll spend more time with his wife Nancy and two daughters, Kayla and Brianna. He became a grandfather in November.
“I haven’t been off Long Island since the fall of 1991,” he said. “I don’t feel it anymore. And I want to spend more time with my family. I know it’s bad timing, but I must be honest with myself and the players. I would not have my heart in it.”
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
