Nearly 800 media outlets—television, radio, newspapers, magazines and blogs—covered John’s retirement from coaching after 64 years. They described his career highlights, commented on his philosophy and winning ways and honored the legend. In addition to the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Huffington Post, ESPN, Sports Illustrated and FOX News, John’s story was also covered in places like Trinidad, Colo.; Helena, Mont.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Vermont.
his retirement this week after 60 seasons in the hut-hut haven he created at Collegeville: Gagliardi won an alldivisions record 489 games with a ‘no rules’ philosophy that challenged the ‘Junction Boys’ construct that football players had to be treated like boot-camp soldiers.” Los Angeles Times, Nov. 22, 2012
From the Associated Press “To think of Saint John’s without Gagliardi in these parts is like trying to think of Duke without Coach K, the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger, peanut butter without jelly.”
From President Michael Hemesath, Saint John’s University “… the beauty of John Gagliardi over the past 60 years is that he’s shown it’s absolutely possible to live out those values (Catholic and Benedictine) and win games at the same time … John, through his success, has raised the profile and that’s brought more benefits than we ever had the right to expect from our football program.”
Nov. 19, 2012
St. Cloud Times, Dec. 16, 2012
From “The Ed Show” “Saint John’s has produced the best coach ever, and he has the numbers to prove it. MSNBC, Nov. 21, 2012
From columnist Chris Dufresne “… an ode to 86-year-old John Gagliardi, the legendary Division III Saint John’s (Minn.) coach who announced
“Seventy years (60 at SJU) is a long time to be doing the same job. Luckily, I’ve always been blessed with great players, friends, family and support to make it this far.”
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