Collegeville, MN – St. John's-MN head football coach John Gagliardi, the all-time winningest coach in college football history, has announced his retirement.
Gagliardi just completed his 64th season as a college football head coach and his 60th year at the helm of Division III St. John's. He has an all-time record of 489-138-11.
"Seventy years is a long time to be doing the same job," said Gagliardi, who was also a high school coach for six years. "Luckily, I've always been blessed with great players, friends, family and support to make it this far.
"Nobody ever said that getting older was easy. I just can't do the job at the level I used to anymore."
Gagliardi broke Eddie Robinson's college record of 408 wins on Nov. 8, 2003. His 64 years at the collegiate level easily surpassed the old mark of 57 years held by Amos Alonzo Stagg (1890-1946).
"Today is another milestone for the greatest head coach in the history of college football," said SJU athletic director Tom Stock. "We are so very happy and proud of John, and those of us who have been associated with him are so fortunate that he chose to spend his life and career at Saint John's, building a model NCAA Division III football program."
Gagliardi won four national championships -- in 1963 and 1965 at the NAIA level and in 1976 and 2003 at the Division III level. His final team finished 5-5.
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