Jordan Panucci is a positive man who spent his second season as Fitch High School's head football coach stressing the value of perseverance to his players.

That's why Panucci, a Fitch graduate, was disappointed to learn that he would not be retained as the Falcons' coach on Monday, although he plans to be coaching somewhere next season.

"I'm going to look for opportunities," Panucci said. "No matter what happened, it was a good experience. It stinks that it was so short-lived, and I wish I had another year to give it a shot.

"I preached to the kids all year long that when bad things happen to you that you have to stand up and move forward. It never does you any good to sit around and sulk."

Panucci was 4-18 in his two years at Fitch, including 0-11 this season.

"I thought I was going to get more time, but it is what it is," Panucci said. "It was a tough call for the administration and they had to make it.

"I'm a Fitch guy, and I want the program to succeed more than anybody else. I grew up in this town. I care about this team. My life so far has been about helping this team whether as a player or as a coach, so that makes it difficult, but at the same time, I want the program to succeed."

Fitch athletic director Marc Romano said that the job has been posted internally and externally. He hopes to have the vacancy filled by Christmas.

"It was a hard decision," Romano said. "Jordan is a great guy. He's definitely a Fitch guy, and he put his heart into it.

"He's a great guy. He really is. It's hard for me, but I have to do what's best for the school."

n.griffen@theday.com

Twitter: @MetalNED