Levitt hopes to restore Bayside’s swagger

While Bayside High School football coach Jason Levitt can get lost among his players because of his diminutive stature, his presence always remains somewhere on the field.
Levitt stood next to his offense during practice last week barking out calls as the players ran in place before dropping to push-up position and jumping up, ready to do it again. For many football players it is their least favorite part of any practice.
“It’s not necessarily about discipline, it is about focus,” Levitt said. “I don’t stand for a lack of focus.”
After three years as the team’s offensive coordinator under Joe Capuana, Levitt was given the head job this summer. Following nine years at the helm, Capuana moved down to the jayvee after taking an assistant principal’s position at the school.
A few years ago, Bayside was a dream job - the finest program in the borough. But last year they won just once. Levitt expects that to change due to discipline.
“Our motto is ‘Never cut corners,’ ” Levitt said. “Do what you’re supposed to do.”
Levitt has been trying to eliminate corner cutting and instill the focus that he knows will lead Bayside back to the playoffs.
Even though Levitt said his team lacks experience - from the quarterback position to coach - he hopes to harness that talent and makes sure his team constantly improves.
“I’m sure we will lose a few games,” said assistant coach Andre Barnes. “But I’m also sure we’ll win a few games.”
Barnes said he has noticed a change in how organized the team is under Levitt. Barnes, who has been coaching with Bayside since 1997, called Levitt a very hands-on coach, which is always a positive.
Bayside middle linebacker Louis Romero said he could see how dedicated Levitt is to the program. He sees it everyday at practice and now he pushes everyone to get better. That pressure will continue, Levitt said. He will not let up, not before their first game on September 8 versus New Dorp in Staten Island, or afterward any time either.
“If I let up, then the assistant coaches let up, and then the players let up,” he said.