After over three decades at the helm of the Cardinal Gibbons wrestling program, coach Frank Pettineo announced his retirement on Thursday, March 19.

During his career, which spanned 33 years, Pettineo led the Cardinal Gibbons wrestling program to 32 consecutive district titles from 1989 to 2020, 20 Broward County Athletic Association titles and five state titles in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2011 and 2014. He also coached 29 individual state champions and 34 state runners-up, while posting a career record of 1010-57. 

Pettineo has become a local legend in the South Florida wrestling community, earning multiple “Coach of the Year” honors from both the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel. He has also been recognized as an inductee in the NCAA Division III Hall of Fame, the USA Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Broward County Athletic Hall of Fame, the Broward County Coaches Hall of Fame and the Cardinal Gibbons Athletic Hall of Fame.

“It was his hard work and his team's dedication that has made Cardinal Gibbons wrestling program into one of the most successful consistent and elite programs in the state,” said former Cardinal Gibbons athletic director Louise Crocco. “We all feel tremendous gratitude for the hard work and dedication that coach Pettineo has put into the Cardinal Gibbons wrestling program.  We all wish him and his family the very best!”

President Tom Mahon expressed his gratitude to Frank for the positive impact he has had on Cardinal Gibbons' student-athletes. He said, "Frank Pettineo was the best at what he did. Period. He had wrestling down to a science. Aside from his boundless energy, Frank had incredible insight and knowledge about the sport...Will I ever miss him!"

The entire Cardinal Gibbons community thanks Frank for his dedication and loyalty.