United States Merchant Marine Academy

George Karafantis has served as a defensive assistant coach for linebackers for USMMA beginning with the 2022 season.
Prior to arriving at USMMA, Karafantis had 19 years of high school coaching experience in several Long Island districts. Most recently serving as the varsity defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Mepham High School.

Prior to that, he spent two years at St. Anthony’s High School in Huntington, N.Y. as the cornerbacks coach, where he coached with current Mariner defensive coordinator Harry Passante. He also spent eight years coaching football in a variety of positions, finishing as defensive coordinator at Amityville High School in Suffolk County, N.Y. Karafantis helped guide the Warriors to two Suffolk County Championships. 

He started career at Valley Stream North and the Sewanhaka District coaching multiple sports.

Karafantis is currently in his 15th year as a physical education teacher and basketball coach in the Amityville School District.

He achieved a bachelor’s degree from Stony Brook University in 2000. He played defensive end for the Seawolves, and was a two-time team captain, Defensive MVP and DL Grunt Award winner. Karafantis attained his master’s degree in P.E. from Queens College. He currently resides in Levittown NY with wife Maria, son Dimitri (11) and daughter Anastasia (9).