John Limone
For the past twenty years, John Limone has been an influential coach in the town of Branford. Passionate and knowledgeable, he has influenced athletes both at the youth and high school levels. Coaching the fundamentals of baseball and football while teaching life lessons, John has earned the admiration and respect of his players and their parents as well as opposing coaches.
At Branford High School, tonight’s inductee earned three varsity letters in football and baseball. He was also selected by his peers to serve as a captain in both sports. In the fall, playing for coach Lenny Bonn, John was named team MVP following his junior year. As a senior, he was the offensive MVP. A quick and tenacious player, Limone achieved All Hammonasset Division honors in 2000 as a defensive back and the following season as a quarterback. Remarkably, he still holds the Hornet record for the longest rushing touchdown, ninety-eight yards against the Derby Red Raiders. At the conclusion of his senior campaign, John was the recipient of the Vuolo Award and the Criscuolo Award for athletic achievement and sportsmanship. Former head coach Lenny Bonn stated, “John was a natural leader and an excellent football player. At practice or in a game, he always wanted to learn from his coaches about the game. I knew then, that John would become a good high school football coach.”
On the baseball diamond, John lettered as an 8th and 9th grader at Hamden Hall. At Branford High School he started for three seasons at catcher and in the outfield for coach Walter Novak. During his career, he played stellar defense and batted .385. For years, John has served as an assistant baseball coach for the Hornets.
Following graduation in the spring of 2002, John matriculated to Marist College to study history and to play division one football. Limone ended up graduating from Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in History.
In 2004, John returned to his alma mater as an assistant football coach working with the wide receivers. A few years later he became the defensive coordinator and in 2013 the head coach. During his tenure, the Hornets won the 2014 West Divisional Championship and in 2022 reached the semifinals in the Class M state playoffs. The next year, Branford qualified for the state playoffs for the second consecutive year. As head coach, Limone has earned many accolades including the 2018 Vincent C. Reilly Coach of the Year, 2021 SCC Conference Tier Three Coach of the Year and in 2022 National Football Foundation, New Haven County Coach of the Year.
A dynamic member of the Branford High School staff, John enjoys sharing his passion for carpentry and the trades. His Wood Tech courses are popular with all segments of the student body.
Above all, John’s greatest pleasure is spending time with his family. His parents, Paul and Donna as well as his sister Jenna are a presence at Branford High School football and baseball games. His most fervent fan was his grandfather Jack who passed away in May of 2024. In March of 2021, John married his beloved wife, Laura. The couple were married by Branford Sports Hall of Fame member and Justice of the Peace, Artie Roy (2016 Inductee). Laura and John have children named Braedon and Ada Jean and the family resides in Branford.
