By Lorenzo Recupero
Legendary former Everett High School Head Coach John DiBiaso has coached-up many great athletes during his numerous super bowl victories at the helm for the Crimson Tide.
In his final act as head coach at EHS, he helped lead newly-drafted NFL athletes Lewis Cine and Isaiah Likely to back-to-back state championships as teammates in 2016 and 2017.
That’s why watching the duo get picked in the NFL’s 2022 draft class is no surprise to DiBiaso.
“Cine is extremely gifted,” said DiBiaso, who recalled a conversation with Boston Herald reporter Danny Ventura during Cine’s freshman year at EHS in which he declared Cine had a chance to make it to the NFL. “It got a few laughs at the time, but I saw [greatness] then,” said Dibiaso. “Cine is extremely fast, with cat-like reflexes,” he said.
Isaiah Likely garnered equal praise from his former coach.
“He has tremendous potential,” said DiBiaso. “He has such great hands. I don’t think I ever saw him drop a pass, not in practice or in a game,” said Dibs while likening Likely’s skillset to that of another EHS alum turned NFL star, Dan Ross, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals.
In a text message conversation during the NFL’s post draft party, Likely acknowledged DiBiaso’s tutelage.
“He texted me and said ‘thank you very much’. I told him I’m proud of him and congratulated him. He’s going to do great things,” said DiBiaso.
“I’m very happy for them. It’s such a great achievement on their part. They can take care of their families and fulfilled a goal every student athlete that plays football has. I’m so proud of them,” said DiBiaso, who has 14 high school championships on his resume and now two former student athletes on the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens.