My Favorite FB Coach
Return to Home Page

  In this space, we'll be printing your thoughts on which man is/was your favorite football coach, and why.
  Current and former players are welcome to contribute. Also, the coach can be someone you had in weight
or grade school football.
  Head coaches receive a lot of attention, so we especially encourage thoughts about assistants, who so often
labor in the shadows.
  How was/is the coach able to motivate you? Has/did he help you with a personal problem? Does/did he
have a pet phrase or mannerism that set/sets him apart?
  You may remain anonymous and e-mail addresses will not be posted on this file. We thank Archbishop
Ryan player Bill Freiling for the suggestion.
  Send your thoughts to silaryt@phillynews.com.

CONTRIBUTIONS . . .

Ted,
           My favorite football coach without a doubt was John Quinn. Playing under him for 2 seasons was absoutely awesome. Coach Quinn knew how to get the most out of his players. He revamped North's program while he was there turning them into a playoff team. On thanksgiving of 96 Coach Quinn led us to maybe one of the biggest upsets in city leauges history when we defeated Frankford 20-19. Not only was he concerned what you did on the filed but also what you did off. He is truly a great coach. I hope he gets another job somewhere so that maybe i could have the privelege of coaching with him
-- Jim Whitehead jr
   (Ted's note: Excellent way to start this off, Jim. Thank you!)

My favorite coach is (Carroll's) Dan Bielli. He makes the team want to keep playing.
-- anonymous

Ted,
      My favorite football coach without a doubt was Bob Hornsleth of St. Dots. Coach Hornsleth has been an assistant coach for St. Dots J.V. Football for over 25 years and helps the kids very much in their learning and understanding of the game. He coaches the lineman and helps them become better football players. He has coached many players who have gone on to play in high school as well as college football in his many years. On behalf of all St. Dots Football players, I would like to say Thank you, Coach Bob Hornsleth!
--St. Dots Football Player

  George Stratts was my favorite coach. The years,(74-78), I played for
him was the hardest thing I ever had to do till then. George and his
assts. pushed me to the extremes and it paid off as we made it to the
Championship in 1978. I also had the opportunity to coach with him for
some time and that ended with the Championship in '83. I always wondered
what it would feel like to be called a "Champion" and George got that
for me. I am a better son, adult, husband and father because George had
some influence in my life. He is still turning out winners at O Hara.
Good luck George.
-- Mike Gallagher. Cardinal Dougherty class of '78

  I believe that Coach Harry Carr from Roman Catholic was a great coach.
Although we did not win many games under him, we played with everything that
we had cause we wanted him to be proud of us. We saw emotion on his face
before every game and after as well. He wanted us to be great young men on
and off the field and he wanted us to be proud of being part of a Roman
tradition.
-- anonymous

yo ted,
        My favorite coach is Archbishop Ryan's Bill Saybolt.  He knows a ton about football and he hardly ever gets the credit.  He is the behind the scenes man at Ryan.  He is also the teams Reciever, TIght End, and Quarterback Coach.  He is never on the sideline for a game.  He is always in the press box with his headset telling Coach Galeone what is going on if he missed anything.  Coach Saybolt is one of a kind.  I know that alot of people may not like their coaches for whatever reasons they have but whether or not you like Coach Saybolt, you will respect him and later on realize what he did for you.  I just want to get a shot to give him a little spotlight as well as the rest of the coaching staff at Ryan.  Good Luck this year and in the future.
-- anonymous

ted,
       my favorite coach is and will always be my old coach john murphy (Mastbaum) i
been playin football since i was 4-years old and i learned more from him in
4-years than anyone else.
-- class of "02" SHARKEY #64

  My favorite football coach is Paul Hackney (1994).of Cardinal Dougherty. You wrote a story about how Coach Glen Galeone worked at Dougherty for 3 days and then went back to Ryan. That's a great story for him and it was nice that everything worked out at Ryan, but he left Dougherty without a coach right before summer camp, and Coach Hack came in and saved the day.
We didn't have the best team that year or the best record, but we had a ton of injuries and I still see most of the players on that team and we were and still are very happy that we had a chance to play for coach Hack one more time. (He was the freshman coach at CD before moving up to varsity.) Coach Domico was a great coach and I had a great time playing for him,  but my favorite year as a Cardinal was spent under Hack.
-- Joe Mason

Hey Ted,
       We all know some of the best football around, without any politics at all, and with the most enjoyable atmosphere is grade school football...CYO style.  I played ball at Acsension/Holy Innocents for three years and had a great time there.  I played with some guys who went on to be real players...names like Coffin, McCourt, Paxon, Wiedemiller, McCaffery....and even coaches who moved on to bigger and "better" things...Coach Jim Murphy, now the head man at Roman Catholic was the coach of our D.
       My 8th grade year, I moved and played with the nearest CYO program around...Assumption/ St. Chris. The head man there: Coach Rich Garafolo.  He was the man.  Typical coach in some ways: coaches shorts (black and two sizes too small), spitting seeds, calling the offensive plays.  Not your typical coach in other ways: dealt with troublesome players the right way (not starting some, relieving others of captain duties), gave everyone, even first year guys a shot at starting, played the 2nd teamers (white) as much as he could, while winning and winning and more winning.  My 8th grade year we went undefeated and won at the Parade of Champions. 
       Rich was and still is a great coach.  He yells, but doesn't embarrass.  He wins, but doesn't run up the score.  He's one of the classiest coaches I've ever played for.  And I hope my younger brother who is finishing his last year with Coach Rich will get as much out of him as I did.
Thanks Ted,
-- Mark Gress Jr.

  Ted I woudl like to Nominate Mike "Stumpy" Coyne as the best Fb coach. Stump just has a way about himself to keep kids going, on and off the football field. He loves the game , but he loves to teach . He teaches kids to respect the game and others. Stump will always be the best coach no matter what other people say. He has taken a team that went 0- whatever in 99 and taken them to the top in the past several years , how can any other coach contend with that?
-- anonymous

   Even though I was never a player I have had contact with alot of high
school and college football coaches. As an Equipment Manager I not only work
for the coaches but the players. It was a close decesion between Coach
Whitey Sullivan (formerly of Judge) and coach Bill Koch (still the d-backs coach
and long-time trainer). So I figured I would write a little about both of
them.
    When I joined the Father Judge football team as a manager Coach Koch
welcomed me with open arms. He taught me the job, helped me with the school
work and was a friend to me. He prepared me for where I am today. I am the
Head Equipment Manager at Edinboro University. This is my senior year with
the team. I have been talking to division one schools and the NFL about a job
upon my graduation. Coach Koch and i have remained in contact and once a year
have lunch. We have had differences but they have never interfered with our
friendship. My brother now works for Coach Koch and is learning the equipment
field from one of the best.
    When I joined the team, I had already heard about Coach Sullivan, my uncle
played and worked for him while he was at Judge. Coach Sullivan was good to
the managers. On game day his wife and daughter would come to the team mass.
The team had a family atmosphere.
    Here at Edinboro our football team is a big family. It is just like when
I was in high school. I still write letters and send programs to the coaches
at Father Judge. This year I received a nice write up in the Edinboro media
guide.
Sincerely,
Keith McCarthy Jr.
Edinboro University of PA
1-800-526-0115 ext. 239
   (Ted's note: Thanks very much, Kevin. "Manager Mike" is a pip. But I'm
sure you already knew that -- smile. Best of luck as your career proceeds.
Maybe some guys back here could use your advice.)

Ted,
         I would like to tell you about a man who gives his all every single time he steps onto the field. A man who puts his personal life on hold to spend 2 hours with each and every day. I wanna tell you about a man who i HONOR and RESPECT very much... his name is Coach Brian Fluck. I respect this man because he wants and demands nothing but the best from us. He deserves every ounce of energy we have.... he puts us in the position to win every single game. When the chips were down and we had nobody in our corner.... no matter if it was on the field or in a personal situation... he was there. He took care of us like we were his own children. I regret not playing for him the way he wanted. I apologize to you and the team coach for my behavior. This year you and Ms. Demasi made me into the player I am today... for that I thank you. We are stronger than ever and it's all because of the belief and faith coach has for us.  Man to Man.... i want you to know that i thank you.... i respect you.... and i will play my @$$ off for you. You are a inspiration to us all.... and especially to me. Let's get em up one last time.... 2003 West C baby.....
-- #31 Stevie Williams

Hey Ted,
My favorite football coach would have to be Chappy Moore when he was at Kenrick. Even though he didnt coach me he coached my dad Jawood Carlin in the Early 70's. He did great stuff by leading them to the Championship two times in a row. It shows that he was a great coach because after he left in 72 they went 2-9 the next year under Joe Santoro.
   (Ted's note: He then led O'Hara to the title in '73 and later coached in Jersey. I wrote stories about your dad. Please
tell him I was asking about him. He was one of the first big backs in the CL!)

Dear Ted,
    I would like to nominate coach Brian Fluck for the honor of My Favorite
Football Coach because he is not limited to being a coach exclusively on the
field, but in life.  He provides his players with a chance to achieve
greatness while instilling in them the proper attributes of respect,
responsibility, and courage through motivation and example.
    Being at West Catholic for only a few years, Coach Fluck understands the
game thoroughly and teaches each player his knowledge.   This man doesn’t care
about his personal life as much as the team in that he puts us first everyday
of the year.  He is not in this to boost his reputation; rather, he coaches
to support his alma mater and for the love of us.  Coach Fluck gives us
everything, and he expects the same from us.  He is the father of our family
at West.
    Off the field, Coach Fluck is a highly regarded person around our school
even though he is younger than most of the alumni association.   He is always
present to talk to about family problems and even helps us through tough
times.  I’ll never forget what he did when a friend of the West Catholic
Football Family was murdered, Abdul Sesay.  Coach Fluck called a mandatory
meeting after school and let his emotions be known to the entire team;
additionally, he told all of us that it is necessary for us to be upset and
to lean on him or the other guys for support. 
    In conclusion, Coach Fluck gives his players the opportunity to make
something of themselves as people and as football players.   At West Catholic,
he helps us attain our dreams and ambitions by being a guide to lead us
through the adversity.

   My fav. would be coach Murphy because he gets us where we need to be and makes sure we are playing the way that we are supposed to.
   (Ted's note: I'm not sure if this means John Murphy of Mastbaum or Jim Murphy of Roman.)

Mr.Silary,
      My Favorite coaches are Mastbaum's John Murphy and staff including coach Adkins because nobody stresses enough the importance of game footage.Coach Murphy is my favorite coach because he's the type of coach who can take any team regardless of talent and make them successful.I will always remember one of coach Murphy's sayings "everyone counts" he never had favorites and always praised and punished the team equally.I would like to thank Coach Murphy my opinion                                                     "the greatest coach in the pub"
-- anonymous

Hey Ted my favorite football coach is Dan Algeo for widner a former Roman
Catholic coach. I played two years under this man and I have to he is the
best. The plays the game plain and the intensity is great.
-- Delaware Valley Football Player #62

Hey Ted,
I would not just like to nominate one coach, but a coaching
staff. Its a given that the head coach is the most recognized when a
team is winning with the players, but his supporting cast helps in the
road to a winning season. I'm talking about the '99 coaching staff of
the Red Division champions Roman Catholic Cahillites. Coach Algeo,
Murphy, Groves, Both Gallaghers, and Both Conroys and not to mention
Charlie Hart. Every week throughout that season they prepared for every
game as it was a playoff game and we obviously responded well. Together
this coaching staff had zero flaws and had us completely motivated to do
one thing, WIN! They, as well as the players were rewarded with the
ultimate goal for our hard work in the offseason and inseason, the first
Catholic League Title in the Red Division. When no one thought we could
compete in the newly aligned division they were the only ones that
thought we could do it. They made the season memorable and helped us
realize that the game of football wasn't a job, it was fun, and let us
enjoy it as well. Its a shame that they aren't together still but I
would just like to thank them for coaching our team to the first title
in 52 years!!
Thanks Ted.
Schmidty '99
#2 fs/qb
   (Ted's note: Thank you, Tim. Hope you're doing well! Lots of people
don't like the Red-Blue alignment, but there will be a special feeling through
the years for you guys knowing you were first. Especially after the school
had such a long wait.)

Hey Ted, I have a couple of nominations.  I know this site has been up for
awhile and this may not even get posted, but there were a couple of coaches I
felt deserved at least to be mentioned:
First, Coach Minetti, Freshman Line Coach at St. Joe's Prep.  One of the most
spirited coaches I've ever played for in any sport.  Was able to joke around
one minute, but then get right down to business the next, and when he talked
everyone listened.  He made football enjoyable, but he also made us better
players.  I still remember one day we were doing a one-on-one drill, and he
wasn't particularly happy with how we were playing, so he jumped in against
our biggest player.  Coach Minetti didn't have pads on, but that didn't stop
him from driving the bigger Ian Clark 10 yards off the ball in a full out
battle.
Second, I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned Coach Gil Brooks of St.
Joe's.  It's funny because if anyone would have told me that I'd ever
appreciate him back in my one varsity year as a Junior in 1998, I probably
would have laughed at them.  Brooks wasn't (I'm sure still isn't) the easiest
coach to play for.  This is because he demands as much from the players as he
demands from himself: a whole lot.  He's a man who takes time out from his
very comfortably paying, demanding law practice to give back to his alma mater
and lead one of the top programs in the country.  I must admit that while
playing for him I didn't realize all that he was doing, and complained an
awful lot more than I expressed appreciation for his hard work.   It wasn't
until this year, when I started playing Sprint Football for the University of
Penn (after transferring from Haverford College - where I played lacrosse for
two years), did I realize how much Brooks affected me.   The diligence with
which he went over the details back in the day, are still ingrained in me. 
Through every play I recalled little things he had taught us.   Every block was
performed (or at least attempted) with the same technique he taught all the
guards then.  The scrutiny he placed on his players bred in me a drive for
excellence which helps me every day, whether it be in Club Lacrosse, Sprint
Football, or coaching lacrosse at the Prep.
Third, I want to put out there the legendary Dan Harrell of Penn Sprint
Football (previous years West Catholic).  I've had the pleasure of playing for
Coach Dan for only one year.  The love that he has the for the game and his
players is proven every day that he steps onto the field to lead his players. 
To see all that he's done in his life: graduate college at 50+ years, raise a
family, coach and be successful at many different levels, help out in
southwest philly's CYO programs, etc, certainly makes you appreciate all that
he does for his players.  He has the ability to make football fun, while
pushing us to get better, but he also makes sure that things are going well in
your life outside of football.
-- Joe Caulfield, SJP '00, Penn '04
   (Ted's note: Wonderful sentiments, Joe. Great job on this! Thanks.)