Among
many fine coaches,
four who shine
A word about coaches: Some football coaches know the game. Some know their
players. Some know how to motivate.
And some know the game, their players, and how to motivate. A list of
those coaches could be really big. But this is about only the top four.
Here they are — in alphabetical order, and with brief explanations.
• Jim Algeo of Lansdale Catholic. He is legendary, as much for his
282 wins in 40 seasons as for being a really solid, accessible person.
• Brian Fluck of West Catholic. What he has done for a program that
always seemed overmatched by the elements is flat-out remarkable. Six
straight championship visits, and two straight league titles. No one beside
Fluck really believed that was possible when he took over the program
nine years ago.
• Gamp Pellegrini of Malvern Prep. When you have 268 wins in 41
years (including stints at St. Thomas More and St. Joseph’s Prep)
that’s remarkable in itself. Being a gentleman off the field all
the while? That’s priceless.
• John Quinn (retired). In 22 years as a head coach at four different
schools (Archbishop Ryan, Roman Catholic, North Catholic, and Conwell-Egan)
he won 111 games.
But it was in one of those losses that defined who Quinn really is as
a mentor. As his team gathered in a muddy field on a cold, rainy night
after losing a playoff game, Quinn addressed his disconsolate teenagers
with the following speech:
“Gentlemen,” he said. “If this is the worst thing that
will ever happen to you, you will have lived a charmed life.”
Then he led his team in a Hail Mary, and that was that. Quinn called his
players “gentlemen,” shared 19 words of wisdom, and offered
a prayer to the Blessed Mother.
No doubt, every player from that team now knows that what Quinn taught
them that night had a significantly more positive and memorable impact
than any victory would have.
John Knebels can be reached at jknebs@aol.com.