Harry Passante enters his fifth season as defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the United States Merchant Marine Academy football program in 2026. Passante joined the Mariners' staff in June 2021 as defensive line coach and special teams assistant before being promoted to defensive coordinator ahead of the 2022 season.
Under Passante's direction, the Mariners' defense has established itself among the top units in the NEWMAC while earning recognition on the national level. In 2025, USMMA ranked 34th in NCAA Division III in total defense and second in the NEWMAC, marking the program's highest national ranking in the category since 1995. The Mariners also ranked 10th nationally and second in the conference in passing defense.
Passante made an immediate impact after taking over the defense in 2022, as the Mariners ranked 20th nationally in rushing defense while leading the NEWMAC in total defense, rushing defense, and scoring defense. USMMA also made significant national improvements that season in passing defense, fourth-down defense, and first downs allowed.
During his tenure as defensive coordinator, Passante has coached five All-NEWMAC selections, highlighted by 2022 NEWMAC and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year CJ Mustain '23. Mustain, Connor Caffrey '23, and Jack Temple '25 also went on to earn All-Region honors.
In addition to his responsibilities as defensive coordinator, Passante plays a significant role in the Mariners' recruiting efforts. His primary recruiting areas include Texas, New York, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, Kansas, and Missouri. USMMA's 2026 roster features 23 student-athletes from the state of Texas.
Passante came to Kings Point from nearby New Hyde Park Memorial High School, where he coached the Gladiators' offensive and defensive lines while also serving as special teams coordinator and strength and conditioning coach during the 2020-21 season, which was played entirely in the spring.
Prior to New Hyde Park Memorial, Passante gained collegiate coaching experience at Division I FCS Stony Brook University during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He served as the Seawolves' video coordinator and defensive and special teams assistant during the COVID-shortened 2020 season after working with special teams and the defensive backs in 2019.
Passante began his coaching career at his alma mater, St. Anthony's High School, following his graduation in 2012. He spent three seasons with the junior varsity program, serving two years as defensive coordinator and one as head coach, before moving to the varsity staff for three seasons as linebackers coach and later co-defensive coordinator.
Passante earned his bachelor's degree in history, magna cum laude, from St. Joseph's University (N.Y.) in 2020 and is a certified adolescent education teacher in New York State. He resides in Commack, N.Y., with his wife, Jacqueline, their daughters, Hallie and Reece, and their dog, Birdie.
