ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - St. Francis Borgia is known for its good football program. Since 1959, the Knights have won nearly 70% of their games.
This season—St. Francis Borgia has started the season undefeated with a 4-0 record.
There’s a little extra motivation to have a good season this fall, as it will be the last for longtime coach Dale Gildehaus.
“From the time I’ve been out of college, I’ve been teaching and coaching,” said Gildehaus.
For 51 years, Dale Gildehaus has spent his Friday nights on the sidelines. He started coaching at Union out of college in 1973, and in 1987 he began his 38-year coaching tenure at St. Francis Borgia.
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“Borgia, my family,” he said. “These kids are my family. I’m like their dad away from home.”
Gildehaus has carried that responsibility for decades, coaching into his 70s.
“I think one of the things that has made Coach GIldehaus so successful over the long run is he has been able to adapt and change to things that need to be changed,” said St. Francis Borgia assistant football coach Jacob Dobsch.
“When we ran when I started out, we were in a 5-2, now that’s old. Everything is changeable, you have to be a student of the game,” Gildehaus said.
Coaching for half a century is long enough for former players like Jacob Dobsch, who played from 1995-’99, to have become assistant coaches. Dobsch is on his 13th year on staff.
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“I just can’t fathom that I’ve been here that long, teaching that long, coaching that long,” Gildehaus said.
When you’ve been in the game for so long, retirement looms, “Maybe three years ago (I said) ‘You know what guys, I’m thinking this is it.’ Then I did it again and again,” Gildehaus said. “After this last season, I said, ‘You know what guys, I want to go one more year.’”
Making this fall even more special.
“We love him,” said St. Francis Borgia senior running back Hayden Wolfe. “We really appreciate everything he’s done, so we just really want to work hard and play the best for him.”
“It’s an honor. He comes to practice every day willing to coach and willing to make you a better player,” said St. Francis Borgia senior lineman Brandon Kluesner.
The Knights are all in on the coach’s final season — before his falls revolve around family — instead of football.
“As devoted as my wife has been to me, it’s about time I devote something for her,” Gildehaus said.
Before the season ends, Gildehaus is nearing his 300th career win. A big milestone to add to his already hall-of-fame career.
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