The Girardi Legacy

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Coach Frank Girardi Announces Retirement

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.— Frank Girardi, one of the nation’s most successful college football coaches, has announced his retirement as Lycoming College’s head football coach. During his 36 seasons as the Warriors’ head coach, Girardi compiled a career record of 257-97-4, which ranks 15th on the NCAA’s all-time winningest coaches list, regardless of division.

Girardi ranked fifth in wins among active NCAA coaches and second among active NCAA Division III coaches. He led Lycoming to 13 Middle Atlantic Conference championships and 11 appearances in the NCAA playoffs, including trips to the Stagg Bowl—the NCAA Division III national championship game—in 1990 and 1997. In all, the Warriors have tallied a winning record in 29 of Girardi’s 36 seasons.

Lycoming Coach Frank Girardi, By Comparison

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—It’s been said from time to time that Lycoming College’s head football coach Frank Girardi is “the Joe Paterno of Division III football.” And there are definitely similarities. Both coaches are of Italian descent, both are affable and both are intensely passionate about football. Both are situated near the top of the NCAA’s all-time victories list (Paterno is 3rd, Girardi 14th). Both have led a single program over decades to remarkable success. And both reside amid the rolling hills of central Pennsylvania, just an hour apart. Even their team uniforms nearly match, with just a yellow-gold accent distinguishing Lycoming. But, even though the comparison is surely a compliment, to pigeonhole Frank Girardi is to overlook a distinctive legacy and the uniqueness of Division III football.

359th Game - Lycoming Falls at Lebanon Valley

The Last GameAnnville, Pa.—Lycoming College's football team (3-7, 3-4) fell to conference foe Lebanon Valley College (4-6, 3-4) by a score of 28-14 on Saturday, November 10. It was the final game of the 2007 season for both teams.

Lebanon Valley threw a 38-yard completion on its first play from scrimmage, setting up a 14-yard touchdown run by Charlie Parker in the game's first four minutes. Parker scored four touchdowns on the day, tying a school record. All three scores were followed by Brittany Ryan extra point conversions.