Coach Marco Minnocci, began his swimming journey just like any kid in a pool in summer. He began his competitive swimming journey as a freshman in high school after his dad pushed him to compete in a sport in high school. After that season he wanted to continue to improve and signed up to swim year-round. His drive for the sport started at day one and it hasn’t stopped since.
Coach Minnocci continued to swim all through high school and once again the question to continue popped up again. He wasn’t satisfied with his times at the end of his senior year so he swam in college and continued to improve.
After college Coach Minnocci came back to Norwalk High to teach and Mr.Marchetti the athletic director asked him to help out with the boys preseason. They had a great season and the head coach thanked Coach Minnocci for his help and asked him to continue. The next year Mr.Marchetti asked Coach Minnocci to coach the girls team. He took to the challenge and had a great season. “I love seeing them race, I believe if they put the work in at practice there is no one they can’t compete against” says Coach Minnocci.
Swimming is never not on Coach Minnocci’s mind, he starts planning practices in the spring and summer. He coaches the girls in the fall and the boys in the winter. Each season gets him excited for the next and stepping away from swimming is never a thought that crosses Coach Minnocci’s mind.
Today Coach Minnocci is now the head coach of the boys swim team and Coach Jonathan Zajdel is his assistant. Although they coach for different schools during the girls season they come together and produce a highly competitive team every year for the boys. “A fun, supportive, and collaborative dynamic” is how Coach Zajdel describes coaching with Coach Minnocci.
Coach Minnocci created lifelong friends and even met his wife through a teammate. He still remembers the hard practices from college and the first meet he coached. “Sacrificing the time and finding those little moments of happiness can really make a difference even 10 years after that last race” From that first hot day in summer to the 2025-26 swim season. Swimming has been a part of Coach Minnocci’s life and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
