John F. Chironna (July 4, 1928 – October 15, 2010) was an American football and baseball coach. He served as the head coach of the Rhode Island Rams football team in 1961 and 1962, compiling a record of 4–11–3. Chironna was also head coach of the Rhode Island Rams baseball program from 1960 to 1961, tallying a mark of 16–15–1.[1]
Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, Chironna was raised in Westfield, New Jersey and played football and basketball at Westfield High School.[2] He then played both sports at Bucknell University and was named an All-East selection three times. Chironna was inducted into the Bucknell Hall of Fame in 1984 and was named to Bucknell's "Football Team of the Century" in 1996.[citation needed]
Former Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis credited Chironna for influencing his view of football.[3] Weis said, "John Chironna taught me the game of football. Parcells and Belichick taught me how to navigate at this level, but Chironna, he taught me the game."[3] Weis taught English and was an assistant coach to Chironna at Morristown High School in Morris County, New Jersey during Weis' early coaching career.[3]
Head coaching record
Football
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Rams (Yankee Conference) (1961–1962) | |||||||||
| 1961 | Rhode Island | 2–6–1 | 1–4 | 5th | |||||
| 1962 | Rhode Island | 2–5–2 | 1–3 | T–4th | |||||
| Rhode Island: | 4–11–3 | 2–7 | |||||||
| Total: | 4–11–3 | ||||||||
Baseball
| Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island (Yankee Conference) (1960–1961) | |||||||||
| 1960 | Rhode Island | 8–6–1 | |||||||
| 1961 | Rhode Island | 8–9 | |||||||
| Rhode Island: | 316–15–1 | ||||||||
| Total: | 16–15–1 | ||||||||
References
- General
- "John Chironna Obituary". Star Ledger. New Jersey. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
- Specific
- ^ a b "2005 Rhode Island Rams Baseball Media Guide" (PDF). Rhode Island Sports Information. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 5, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
- ^ "John Chironna", The Star-Ledger, October 19, 2010. Accessed March 28, 2023. "Chironna was born on July 4, 1928, in Plainfield, N.J., and graduated from Westfield High School in 1946. At Westfield he was a three year football starter on the line and gained All State Group 3 honors in 1945 as team captain. That same year he earned All County honors in basketball. "
- ^ a b c Walters, John (November 23, 2009). "Exclusive: Charlie Weis Opens Up About His Notre Dame Experience". NCAA Football Fanhouse. Retrieved January 13, 2010.
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