Longtime high school head coach Chuck Abate joined the Navy sprint football coaching staff as the offensive coordinator prior to the 2025 season.
In 2025, the Navy sprint football team concluded a perfect 8-0 season by capturing the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) Championship with a thrilling 20-17 overtime victory against Army in the annual Star Game. During the championship matchup at Shea Stadium in West Point, the Midshipmen secured the win when sophomore kicker Jacori Sutton connected on a 36-yard field goal in the extra period after Army missed their own attempt. This victory marked Navy's 41st overall conference championship, its 34th outright title, and its fourth CSFL championship in the last five years. Throughout the season, Navy was dominant on both sides of the ball, outscoring opponents 321-90 while amassing 2,905 total yards of offense and recording 14 interceptions, 67 tackles for loss, and 16 sacks on defense.
Following their championship run, the Midshipmen received numerous postseason accolades, with 14 players earning All-CSFL honors. Junior running back Hunter Gennicks was named the CSFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year, senior linebacker Jake Wolinski was selected as Defensive Player of the Year, and Jacori Sutton took home Special Teams Player of the Year honors. Gennicks, Wolinski, and Sutton were joined on the First Team by John Dutton, Kerry Johnson, and Tyler Meisenzahl, while seven other players received second-team recognition and one earned honorable mention. Additionally, the team excelled academically, with nine student-athletes – Christian Conley, Layton Dillard, Tom Gonglik, Kerry Johnson, Brennan McElfresh, Tucker Opdahl, John Sheddy, Will Trechter, and Jake Wolinski – being named to the 110-person CSFL All-Academic Team.
Abate has coached high school football for over 20 years in the state of Illinois. His experience has ranged from freshman assistant coach to a varsity offensive and defensive coordinator at the 8A level. He also spent three years at Burlington Central High School as an offensive coordinator / associate head coach. He coached current Navy sprint football head coach, Captain Carter Reading, USMC, for four years at St. Charles East High School.
Abate takes pride not only in winning games, but in the relationships he has developed over the years with his players and coaches. His philosophy is that he does not coach football, but that he coaches men, through football.
Abate is married to his wife Donna. The couple have two children, Erin and Alex, with one grandson, Cam.
