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.
Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, Chironna was raised in Westfield, New Jersey and played football and basketball at Westfield High School."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. " 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.
Former Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis credited Chironna for influencing his view of football. 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." Weis taught English and was an assistant coach to Chironna at Morristown High School in Morris County, New Jersey during Weis' early coaching career.
Head coaching record Football
Baseball
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