The winningest coach in CFB has passed away.

[Parliament 13979]

The family of the legendary John Gagliardi announced this morning that the longtime head coach of St. John’s, and the winningest head coach in the history of college football, has sadly passed at the age of 91.

Gagliardi, who coached college football for an incredible 64 seasons – 60 of those leading the St. John’s (D-III – MN) program – stepped down from the Johnnies top spot back in 2012 having amassed 489 wins. That win total is precisely 80 more games than Joe Paterno won, and 81 more games than Grambling State legend Eddie Robinson.

http://footballscoop.com/news/john-gagliardi-winningest-coach-college-football-passed/

[Butch Had Not 2924]

I remember reading about his coaching methods in an SI magazine in the 90's. He would require his team to lay down in the grass and relax and enjoy the weather at practice or something. I will find the article....

https://www.si.com/vault/1992/08/31/127059/happiest-team-the-gentlest-giants-genial-coach-john-gagliardis-toughest-job-at-st-johns-of-minnesota-is-keeping-the-faculty-happy

[Post Oak 20068]

RIPip

[MNLonghornFUKM 8780]

Ive got a college in my town that is in the same conference as St Johns. I pay almost zero attention to it but you still knew who St Johns was because of him. I was surprised he was coaching 6 years ago still. what a career.

[Dean Gullberry 37]

One of my good friends played for Gagliardi back in the day.  Definitely had a unique style.  My buddy told me conditioning and lifting were "optional".  They didn't really waste time in practice doing sprints, etc...

[runthebone 7874]

RIP.  He'll never be able to say he lost 111 wins then made a heroic comeback to get them back in court, though. 

[Deej 76081]

91 is a full life. Rest in peace.

[Parliament 13979]

  My buddy told me conditioning and lifting were "optional".  They didn't really waste time in practice doing sprints, etc...

Not judging or questioning; I just wanna know.

How did he win games then?

[CooterBrown 17695]

Not judging or questioning; I just wanna know.

How did he win games then?

It’s D3. It’s worse than intramural level at major universities.

[Dean Gullberry 37]

11 minutes ago, Parliament said:

 

 

Not judging or questioning; I just wanna know.

How did he win games then?

 

Better players...  In all seriousness, they didn't have organized lifting or a lot of conditioning.  But most everyone did lift and do conditioning otherwise you risk losing your playing time to someone more prepared.  This was around 20 years ago so I'm a little hazy on exact details.  What I recall is that lifting and conditioning was not mandatory or organized by the coaches. 

Edit... And what Cooter said.

Edited October 7, 2018 by Dean Gullberry

[ImissWallyPryor 9044]

3 hours ago, Dean Gullberry said:

One of my good friends played for Gagliardi back in the day.  Definitely had a unique style.  My buddy told me conditioning and lifting were "optional".  They didn't really waste time in practice doing sprints, etc...

I think Cliff Gustafson’s practices consisted of 12 inning intrasquad games? Similar philosophies...minus the laying on AstroTurf staring at the sky, enjoying the weather part. 

[TexasHooch 4949]

Really interesting man.

 

[ImissWallyPryor 9044]

27 minutes ago, CooterBrown said:

 

It’s D3. It’s worse than intramural level at major universities.

 

I hear you played intramural football at a major university.