Pinizzotto was born in Italy, but shortly after moved to Switzerland where he joined the academy of FC Biel-Bienne eventually being called up to the first team.

[10] When the USL A-League granted the Toronto Lynx a franchise Pinizzotto was appointed the inaugural head coach for the 1997 season.

In his debut season he led Toronto to a USL record of ten consecutive wins for an expansion franchise.

[13] As a result the club clinched a postseason berth by finishing fourth in the Northeast division, and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs to Montreal Impact.

[24] After the 2003 season the ownership of Toronto modified their club policy by deciding not to renew Pinizzotto's contract, and hired Duncan Wilde as his successor.

[25] Throughout his tenure in Toronto he was known for providing young talent an opportunity to develop their skills, and as result produced several notable players to the Canada national team program.

[26] He also served as an assistant coach under Gary Hindley for the Toronto ThunderHawks in the National Professional Soccer League for the 2000-2001 indoor season.

In 2006, he helped the team to its best start ever at home with a ten-game undefeated streak at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex winning another regular season title, and the club's third Voyageurs Cup.

[31] After De Santis was promoted to Manager and Director of Soccer for Montreal Impact in 2008 he was dismissed from his coaching duties.