Westbury High School has long been considered a powerhouse in basketball, and more recently in track. The football program, however, recently received a giant boost from former New York Jet Lou Buschi.

Buschi, who signed as a free agent with the Jets back in 1982, but more recently has coached football at Roslyn and Garden City High Schools, has been appointed as head football coach of the Green Dragons varsity football team, effective this upcoming season.

Prior to coaching at Roslyn and Garden City, Buschi served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the C.W. Post football team, which won the Liberty Championship during his tenure in the early 1990s. He also served as a receivers coach at Post after graduating from the university in 1980. While a student there, he starred at the quarterback position.

After his first coaching stint at Post, Buschi signed a free agent contract with the Jets. He later went on to star for the Brooklyn Mariners of the Mid East League, winning the league Most Valuable Player award two years in a row at the quarterback position. He later served as the head coach of the Federation of Italian Americans football team, leading the team to the league's Super Bowl in 1987 and 1989. In between playing for the Jets and the Mariners, Buschi coached at Sewanhaka High School. Over the past year, he has served as a private quarterback tutor to local high school and college student athletes.

"Lou was an important leader on a successful football team as quarterback and became a valued member of our coaching staff for many years," Vincent Salamone, C.W. Post athletic director, said. "His technical knowledge of football is excellent. He is an extraordinarily hard worker, highly organized, attends to every detail, and his character is of the highest caliber."

Buschi's dedication to student athletes, as well as the game of football, was evident when he was presented with the Nassau County Coaches Association's Jim Barbanell Service Award. This award recognizes those who have dedicated their time, talents, and energy for the improvement and advancement of high school athletics. When he is not coaching players on the field, he is teaching students in the classroom as an art teacher in the Roslyn School District. Still, he has found time to acquaint himself with students at Westbury, working with them in the weight room after school.

"Lou Buschi is well-respected as a teacher of students and student-athletes and has already left a solid impression on the kids here in Westbury," Stuart Friedman, Westbury's director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics, said. "He is a welcomed addition to our athletic program, and we look forward to many successful seasons of Green Dragons football with him at the helm."

Buschi's coaching staff consists of experienced players and coaches who will work closely with the junior varsity squad to give that program a boost as well. He says the varsity group will look to pass the ball more than in the past, and will more effectively utilize the team's speed, particularly in the running game.

"We want to win, but we certainly want to make this a fun experience for students and keep them inspired," said Buschi. "My top priority is to ensure that my players focus on academics first."