ST. JOHN'S (MINN & gt;) 'Stick to basics,' Gagliardi was told

The Johnnies' coach can tie the NCAA record for most wins.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL STAR TRIBUNE
MINNEAPOLIS -- Before coaching football became John Gagliardi's lifelong profession, it served as his escape.
Because the St. John's (Minn.) coach can tie the NCAA record of 408 career victories set by Grambling's Eddie Robinson when the Johnnies visit St. Thomas (Minn.) today, he has been asked to reminisce a lot lately. With a little bit of coaxing, he related a conversation he had with his older brother, Gene, more than 60 years ago.
Gagliardi, one of nine kids in a working-class family in Trinidad, Colo., was seeking advice on what high school classes to take.
"He told me to stick to the basics," Gagliardi said. "There was no reason to worry about any college prep classes because I wouldn't be going to college."
Plan in place
The plan was in place for Gagliardi to join his father at his auto body shop after graduation, and Gagliardi saw no reason to consider any other scenario.
During his senior year -- 1943 -- the Trinity Catholic football coach left to fight in World War II and school officials prepared to drop football. Gagliardi, a runner, passer and kicker in the single wing offense, persuaded the officials to let him take over as player/coach.
"It changed my life," Gagliardi said.
Gagliardi traces his career to a series of breaks, and the next one came when the athletic director at St. Mary's High School in Colorado Springs suggested Gagliardi attend Colorado College and coach football, basketball and baseball at the high school.
Gagliardi graduated from Colorado College in 1949, wondering what new turn his life would take. When an administrator at Colorado College recommended him to the Carroll (Mont.) College president for their vacant football coaching job, Gagliardi had his answer.
The pay was better, so Gagliardi made the trip to Collegeville, Minn.
"The first thing the monks asked me was, 'Do you need scholarships?' " Gagliardi said. "I had never been on scholarship myself, and I didn't have them at Carroll. So I didn't ask for anything.
"Then one monk said, 'Yeah, but can you beat Gustavus?' Of course, I had never heard of Gustavus, so that helped a lot. I said, 'I don't know, we've beaten some good teams out at Carroll.'
"Fortunately, the first year we beat Gustavus and St. Thomas, the other team they wanted to beat."
Fifty seasons later, he's won more than his share against every team in the MIAC. The Johnnies have captured three national titles and 22 conference titles under his watch.