CT coach apologizes for resigning during halftime of game, hopes to return to team in the future

Stamford football coach Donny Panapada apologized for his conduct during a halftime exchange with players in a statement released Sunday, but said he remains hopeful he will have an opportunity to lead the program again. Panapada is no longer coaching the Black Knights after resigning midway through the Oct. 23 game against Warde . Stamford principal Matthew Forker told parents in an email last week that the resignation would remain in effect because the school saw no viable path for Panapada to return. Panapada's full statement: "I want to sincerely apologize to my Black Knight Football Family, the Stamford football community, future Black Knights, and my own family for my actions on Friday night Oct. 23rd. In the heat of competition, I exercised poor judgment while addressing my team at halftime and immediately questioned my ability to lead the program in that moment. To my players: I am sorry. You trusted me to lead you, and in the middle of a game I stepped away when you needed me most. That was wrong, and I understand why it hurt. This was my mistake, and I don't want any of you carrying any of it. You have worked incredibly hard, and I am proud of every one of you. After the game, I hoped to address my players, take responsibility for my actions, and make amends. Following discussions with my Athletic Director, I believed I would have that opportunity the next morning. Instead, I was only given the chance to say goodbye. I recognize that I made a mistake, and I was prepared to own it, learn from it, and work to repair the damage. Unfortunately, I was told there was no viable path forward, without being given the opportunity to demonstrate that commitment. Given the program I have helped to build at Stamford High School over the past 5 years, with approximately 100 student-athletes, I believe in the power of accountability, growth, and second chances. I remain convinced that when we take responsibility for our actions, there is always an opportunity to learn, grow, and move forward. I'm still hopeful that I will have the opportunity to lead the Program in the near future. Black Knights finish the season strong and know that I am behind you.   Donny Panapada Forker sent an email to parents of Stamford's players on Tuesday, to "provide closure" on the situation. According to Forker's email, which was obtained by CT Insider, Panapada "engaged in exchanges with our student athletes and demonstrated poor judgement while coaching the first half of the game against Warde." Panapada then announced his resignation to players and athletic director Chris Passamano. He remained on site at Warde High School, but did not coach during the second half, according to the email. Stamford lost to Warde 42-14. Phone messages left for both Forker and Passamano were not returned. On Saturday morning following the game, Passamano met with Panapada, the coaching staff, and several players "to better understand the circumstances surrounding coach Panapada's decision to resign mid-game," the message stated. According to Forker's email, it became clear there was not "a viable path forward for coach Panapada to rescind his resignation and resume his role as head coach." In the email to parents, Forker said he met with Panapada on Monday and that Panapada expressed remorse for his actions at the game. "His actions fell short of the standards and expectations we have for the head coach of the Stamford High School football program," Forker wrote, adding that the resignation remains in effect. Forker added that he had received several emails and messages from families who said Panapada has been "a positive influence in their children's lives," and that "those contributions are not diminished by the circumstances surrounding his resignation." "However, a head coach has a responsibility to lead by example and conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the student athletes, coaching staff, and the entire school community, no matter the circumstances," Forker wrote. "Confrontational exchanges with student athletes during a game, in front of a large crowd of families from both schools, followed by an in-game announcement of his resignation and a decision not to resume coaching responsibilities, are inconsistent with the standards we expect from those entrusted to lead our student athletes."   Forker said that an interim head coach will not be named and instead the current staff will coach the team for the remainder of the 2026 season. The Black Knights are 3-3 and are in seventh place in the CIAC Class LL playoff standings. Their next game is at home against St. Joseph (5-0) at noon, Saturday. St. Joseph is ranked second in the GametimeCT Top 10 poll. Panapada became Stamford's head coach in 2022 and in five seasons had a 16-31 record. The Black Knights were 7-4 in his second season in 2023, qualifying for the CIAC Class LL tournament, their first postseason berth in 28 years. Injuries hit the team hard early the following year and Stamford was 1-9 in both 2024 and 2025. Prior to being hired for the Stamford job, Panapada had coached at Trinity Catholic for six seasons, leading the Crusaders to a record of 25-39.  Staff Writer Dave Stewart contributed to this story Sign up for the Connecticut Briefing from CT Insider. Get the biggest headlines of the day from our network of journalists around the state. This article originally published at CT coach apologizes for resigning during halftime of game, hopes to return to team in the future .