Joe Perella

This article is about the football coach. For the financier, see Joseph Perella.
Joe Perella
Biographical details
Bornc. 1940 (1940)
Chardon, Ohio, U.S.
DiedNovember 29, 2020(2020-11-29) (aged 79–80)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Alma materJohn Carroll University (1963)
Ashland College
Playing career
Football
c. 1960sJohn Carroll
Basketball
1958–1959Bowling Green
c. 1960sJohn Carroll
c. 1964–1968Blepp Coombs
Position(s)Quarterback (football)
Forward (basketball)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1964–1967Cathedral Latin HS (OH) (assistant freshmen)
1968Florida State (GA)
1969Louisville (ends)
1970–1971Louisville (OB/WR)
1972Cincinnati (backfield)
1973Cathedral Latin HS (OH) (OB/DB)
1973Cathedral Latin HS (OH) (interim HC)
1974 (spring)Virginia Ambassadors (OB)
1974–1979Cathedral Latin HS (OH)
1980–1989Beachwood HS (OH)
1990University School (OH) (OC)
1991–1993University School (OH)
1994–1999John Carroll (OC/QB)
2000Winnipeg Blue Bombers (co-OC)
2001–2003Case Western Reserve
2009–2012St. Edward HS (OH) (OC)
2013–2016John Carroll (assistant)
Basketball
1964–1965Cathedral Latin HS (OH) (freshmen)
1966–1967Cathedral Latin HS (OH) (JV)
1967–1968Cathedral Latin HS (OH) (freshmen)
1973–1974Cathedral Latin HS (OH)
Track and field
1964–1968Cathedral Latin HS (OH) (assistant)
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
?–1980Cathedral Latin HS (OH)
2004–2009Beachwood HS (OH)
Head coaching record
Overall16–14 (college football)
92–34–3 (high school football; excluding Cathedral Latin)

Joseph A. Perella Sr. (c. 1940 – November 29, 2020) was an American college football coach. He was the head football coach for Cathedral Latin School—now Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School—from 1973 to 1979, Beachwood High School from 1980 to 1989,[1] University School from 1990 to 1993, and Case Western Reserve University from 2001 to 2003. He also coached for Florida State, Louisville, Cincinnati, John Carroll, St. Edward High School, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for John Carroll.[2]

Early life and playing career

Perella grew up in Chardon, Ohio, and attended Cathedral Latin School—now Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School. He was a three-sport athlete competing in football, basketball, and track and field. He was named all-senate and all-catholic in basketball.[3]

Perella briefly attended Bowling Green State University and was even named freshman basketball captain in 1958.[4] He then transferred to John Carroll University and played football and basketball.[5] For the Blue Streaks football team he was a quarterback and for the basketball team he was a forward.[6]

Between 1964 and 1968, Perella played semi-professional basketball for the Blepp Coombs Sporting Goods team in the Plain Dealer-Greater Cleveland Basketball League,[7] helping the team to the playoffs in 1964.[8]

Coaching career

In 1964, Perella returned to his alma mater, Cathedral Latin, as an assistant freshmen football coach, freshmen basketball coach, and assistant varsity track coach.[5] In 1966, he transitioned to junior varsity coach for basketball before reverting to freshmen coach the following year.[9][7]

In 1968, Perella was hired as a graduate assistant for Florida State working with the wide receivers.[10] He was hired alongside former NFL players Joe Avezzano and Junior Wren.[10] After one season, Perella left to join Lee Corso at Louisville as his ends coach.[11][12][13] In 1970, he transitioned to coaching the offensive backfield and wide receivers.[14] Perella was crucial in recruiting future NFL linebacker Tom Jackson, as both Jackson and Perella were from Cleveland.[15] After three seasons with Louisville, Perella resigned. He later recalled his experience in an interview with The Daily News stating "We lied to kids. We cheated to get them in school..." and that Corso told him that he was recruiting "too many black kids."[16] Corso came out and denied all accusations Perella made against him, stating Perella was fueled by revenge.[17]

In 1972, Perella was hired as the backfield coach for Cincinnati under head coach Ray Callahan.[18][19]

In 1973, after five seasons coaching college football, Perella returned to high school, again to his alma mater. He was the head basketball coach and served as the offensive and defensive backs coach for the football team.[20] He served as the team's interim head coach for the final three games of season. He resigned briefly to accept the offensive backfield position for the Virginia Ambassadors of the World Football League (WFL), but opted instead to return to Cathedral Latin and was promptly named head football coach while not returning as basketball coach.[21]

After six seasons as head coach of Cathedral Latin, Perella was hired as the head football coach for Beachwood High School in Beachwood, Ohio. He took over for Dick Self who did not return after a 0–9–1 season as a member of the East Suburban Conference.[22] In 1988, he led the team to a school-record 9–1 record and in the following season led them to their first playoff appearance. He resigned following the 1989 season.[23] After spending the 1990 season as the offensive coordinator for University School, Perella took over as head football coach for long-time coach Cliff Foust.[24] Perella resigned after three seasons as head coach with an overall record of 22–7.[25]

In 1994, Perella returned to college football and was hired as the offensive coordinator for his alma mater, John Carroll, under head coach Tony DeCarlo.[26] Perella transformed the team into an air raid offense and helped lead the team to their first Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) title since 1989.[26] In 2000, Perella was hired as the co-offensive coordinator and primary play caller for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[27]

In 2001, after one year in the CFL, Perella was hired as the head football coach for Case Western Reserve, taking over for Peter Germano.[28][29] He earned his first win as a head coach after defeating Oberlin 45–19 where he also snapped an 11-game home losing streak at Finnigan Field.[30] He ended his first season with a record of 5–5, an improvement from 3–7 the year prior.[31] In his second season, he help lead the team to its first winning season since 1991 with a 6–4 record.[32] He resigned after three seasons, leaving an overall record of 16–14. During his tenure as head coach, Perella's teams were known for their potent offenses but lackluster defenses.[32]

In 2004, shortly after Perella's resignation from Case Western Reserve, he rejoined Beachwood High School as the school's athletic director.[33] As athletic director, he hired his son, Joe Perella Jr., as basketball coach.[34] Perella Sr. resigned in 2009 to accept the offensive coordinator position for St. Edward High School under head coach Rick Finotti.[35] He coached at St. Edward until 2012 when he rejoined John Carroll for four seasons before retiring after the 2016 season.

Personal life and death

Perella died on November 29, 2020, in Cleveland.[36]

Head coaching record

College football

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Case Western Reserve Spartans (University Athletic Association) (2001–2003)
2001 Case Western Reserve 5–5 1–3 3rd
2002 Case Western Reserve 6–4 1–2 T–2nd
2003 Case Western Reserve 5–5 0–3 4th
Case Western Reserve: 16–14 2–8
Total: 16–14

[37]

References

  1. ^ Podolski, Mark (November 30, 2020). "Joe Perella – longtime Northeast Ohio coaching icon – passes away". News-Herald. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "Remembering Joe Perella '63". John Carroll University Athletics. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  3. ^ "Geneva Five, Newark Squad Leads Entries". The Evening Review. April 4, 1958. p. 18. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  4. ^ Hartman, Phil; Trog, Keller (December 5, 1958). "High Notes". The Cleveland Press. p. 34. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Perella Joins Latin's Staff". The Cleveland Press. August 5, 1964. p. 40. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  6. ^ Friedman, Don (November 28, 1961). "John Carroll Five Out to Regain Title". The Cleveland Press. p. 42. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Blepp Five on Royals' Arena Card". The Plain Dealer. November 19, 1967. p. 54. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  8. ^ "Blepps Fire 2 Big Cage Guns". The Plain Dealer. March 25, 1964. p. 32. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  9. ^ "Cage Coach Baracz Leads Latin Changes". The Cleveland Press. June 3, 1966. p. 38. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Three Joes join FSU's Staff". Tallahassee Democrat. August 22, 1968. p. 18. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  11. ^ "Florida State's Perella New U of L Football Aide". The Courier-Journal. March 26, 1969. p. 26. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  12. ^ Bolus, Jim (September 19, 1969). "Copeland Gives U of L Homer Punch". The Courier-Journal. p. 35. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  13. ^ "Louisville Football Guide 2023". files.provationsgroupcdn.com. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  14. ^ Rorrier, George (November 12, 1970). "U of L's Jesukaitis Delivers in Reserve Role". The Courier-Journal. p. 49. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  15. ^ Rausch, Gary (December 18, 1970). "Louisville Linebacker Leon's 'Fan'". Independent. p. 51. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  16. ^ Coughlin, Dan (March 20, 1974). "Perella, former UL assistant, glad to be rid of college ball". The Park City Daily News. p. 20. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  17. ^ "Former aide's charges denied by Corso". Chronicle Tribune. March 19, 1974. p. 11. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  18. ^ "Louisville aide joins UC staff". The Cincinnati Post. January 24, 1972. p. 14. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  19. ^ "2023 Cincinnati Football Media Guide and Record Book (PDF)" (PDF). University of Cincinnati Athletics. p. 123. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  20. ^ Zunt, Dick (May 13, 1973). "Perella Back to Coach Latin". The Plain Dealer. p. 61. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  21. ^ Friedman, Don (April 19, 1974). "Joe Perella returns from WFL". The Cleveland Press. p. 33. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  22. ^ Carpenter, Ken (August 23, 1980). "New kid on block". The Plain Dealer. p. 31. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  23. ^ "Beachwood coach Perella resigns". The Plain Dealer. February 15, 1990. p. 79. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  24. ^ Zunt, Dick (December 19, 1990). "Coach Foust retires at University School". The Plain Dealer. p. 31. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  25. ^ Zunt, Dick (January 26, 1994). "Perella resigns as US football coach". The Plain Dealer. p. 9. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  26. ^ a b Manoloff, Dennis (September 11, 1994). "Aerial attack lifts John Carroll to victory". The Plain Dealer. p. 51. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  27. ^ Friesen, Paul (June 19, 2000). "Blue brass giving offence retro look". The Winnipeg Sun. p. 34. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  28. ^ Dolgan, Bob (March 20, 2001). "Perella to coach CWRU football". The Plain Dealer. p. 37. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  29. ^ "Joe Perella new coach at Case Western". Dayton Daily News. March 21, 2001. p. 30. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  30. ^ "Chalk one up". The Plain Dealer. September 25, 2001. p. 37. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  31. ^ "Case Western Reserve Spartans". The Plain Dealer. September 2, 2002. p. 46. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  32. ^ a b "1. Case Western Reserve". The Plain Dealer. August 25, 2003. p. 32. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  33. ^ "Perella to lead Bisons as new AD". The Plain Dealer. March 3, 2004. p. 42. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  34. ^ Dwyer, Eddie (July 13, 2005). "AD Perella hires son to coach at Beachwood". The Plain Dealer. p. 39. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  35. ^ Mike, Holzheimer (July 4, 2009). "Former Maple Heights coach has St. Edward ties". Sun News. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  36. ^ "JOSEPH A. PERELLA - 2020 - Vitantonio - Previte Funeral Homes". www.tributearchive.com. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  37. ^ "NCAA Statistics; Coach; Joe Perella". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
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