Revered SW PA High School Football Coach Dies From Coronavirus

GREENSBURG, PA — Joe Mucci, who won multiple WPIAL titles while coaching Jeannette and Greensburg Central Catholic high schools, died Monday from coronavirus complications. He was 85.

In 1959, Mr. Mucci was named Greensburg Central Catholic's the first coach and athletic director. He compiled a 34-15-2 record that included an undefeated team in 1964 and the Pittsburgh Catholic League Championship in 1966.

In 1968, Mr. Mucci was named head coach and athletic director at Jeannette. In 18 years, he posted a 150-33-3 record. His teams won 11 conference titles and had three undefeated seasons in which he won three WPIAL Championships each year (1971, 1981, 1983). Mr. Mucci was named Coach of the Year in 1977 and 1982. Following the 1985 season, he retired from coaching but remained as athletic director.

Mr. Mucci was honored for his accomplishments by various organizations, winning the American Legion Service Award and the David H. Weiss Recognition Award. He was a three-time Dapper Dan Club of Pittsburgh honoree, he received Letterman of Distinction Award from St. Vincent College (his alma mater) and also was an Outstanding Young in America Honoree.

Mr. Mucci was named Distinguished Coach of the Year by the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Jeannette High School Hall of Fame's first inaugural class. He also was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Hall of fame in 1997 and the WPIAL Hall of Fame in 2016.

View Mr. Mucci's complete obituary here.