Al Angelo's 21-Year Coaching Career (1965-84, 1987) at Frankford High
Al Angelo, widely considered the most respected football coach in city high school history, passed away 4/19/08 at age 77.
Al holds the city record for most championships won -- with 10 in 21 seasons at Frankford High (1965-84, '87) -- and his numbers for winning percentage (.833) and wins-per-season (8.8) are also near the very top of those lists.
Al was viewed as a second (even first) father by his players and many remained in touch through the years. That was especially so during the past year-plus as he waged a courageous battle against cancer.
Services were Thursday, April 24, at St. Martin of Tours (Oxford Circle). The procession passed Frankford's stadium en route to St. Dominic Cemetery.
The Man Behind the Record
Al first attended Mississippi State before transferring to West Chester University after a football shoulder injury. At West Chester, he coached the junior varsity team alongside future colleague Vince McAneney.
Al used to think of every detail. He would plan motivational tactics with local writers, craft anonymous newspaper articles to fire up his players, and attended to the smallest touches -- from tri-color painted locker room benches to ensuring the band had 70 yards of practice field so the music at games would be spirited.
Blair Thomas (Penn State/NFL) was Al Angelo's best Frankford player.
All-Scholastic and All-City Honorees
During Coach Angelo's tenure, Frankford produced numerous All-Scholastic (1965-70) and All-City (1971-84, 1987) players, including: Greg Taylor (E, 1969), Mike Capriotti (LB, 1969), Tom Carpenter (DB, 1970), Steve Ebbecke (DB, 1971), Gary Hegh (RB, 1972), Willie Debnam (RB, 1972), Rich Geiger (DE, 1973), Lee Felice (LB, 1974), Randy Whiteman (DE, 1974), Bernie Laster (L, 1975), George Benson (RB, 1975), Darrell Miller (Rec., 1976), Mike Anhalt (L, 1977), Mike McCann (LB, 1977), Walt Parrish (L, 1978), Chris Yurkow (DB, 1978), Tony Butler (DB, 1979), Eric Leaks (L, 1980), and Bob Brett (DE, 1980).
The 1978 City Championship
One of the most storied moments came in 1978, when Frankford beat Archbishop Wood 27-7 for the City championship in a driving rainstorm at Kennedy Stadium. Al had been 0-8-1 in City Title games as a player, assistant, and head coach -- the win was only the third for the Public League since 1951. In a memorable exchange years later, Father John Kelly of St. Martin's asked Al about heaven: "Do you think you'll be as happy as you were in 1978, when you beat Archbishop Wood for the City championship, 27-7?" Al was amazed -- he had never told Father Kelly about that game.
The 2007 Reunion
In May of 2007, the alumni of the Frankford High School Football Program came together to honor Coach Angelo. The reunion, attended by nearly 300 former players, cheerleaders, coaches, managers, trainers, and friends, was originally an idea that started in Al's heart. He described the day as "one of the nicest days of his life." He was presented an award for his hard work and dedication, and true to form, when asked about his successes, he talked about his partners.
Legacy
As one former player wrote: "He was Frankford's Joe Paterno." Another noted: "Next to my Dad, he was my hero growing up." Bill Sytsma, Head Football Coach at Neumann-Goretti, wrote that Coach Angelo's legacy never left Frankford, and that without the stories of how a tradition was built, he may not have the same respect and passion for football that he has today.
Al Angelo's impact extended far beyond the football field. He drove players in his station wagon to visit prospective colleges, he thought of every detail, and he made every member of the team -- even the managers -- feel essential. He will always be remembered as a generous, unselfish, and honorable man.