He then attended Springfield College, where he earned a degree in education and played offensive tackle on the freshman football team.

Gettleman has two master's degrees: one in physical education from Southern Connecticut State in 1978, and another in sports administration from St. Thomas University in 1986.

As the head coach from 1973 to 1978 and from 1980 to 1981, Gettleman led his teams to two league titles, competing against schools twice the size as Spackenkill.

Gettleman joined the faculty of Kingston High School in 1982 and became the head coach in 1984, leading his team to a Section I Bowl berth.

[6] The team defeated the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs, en route to Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016.

[9] Gettleman's second tenure began by hiring a new head coach in Pat Shurmur,[10] and with drafting running back Saquon Barkley second overall in the 2018 NFL draft,[11] ahead of notable quarterbacks Sam Darnold (third), Josh Allen (seventh), Josh Rosen (tenth), and Lamar Jackson (32nd).

The following year, Gettleman traded wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns, which caused controversy among fans and the media.

The 2020 season was a small improvement for the team, as they finished 6–10, but missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year in Week 17.