In Northern California high school football circles, Ron Calcagno is respected and regarded as one of the greatest coaches of his time. Though most recognized for his coaching record, Ron was also an accomplished and honoured high school and college athlete.

Ron attended Saint Ignatius High School (1960) in San Francisco and was a standout three-sport athlete. In football, he was named to the High School All-America and All-Northern California teams, and played in the North-South Shrine Game. He was the San Francisco Basketball Player of the Year, named to the Tournament of Champions All-Tournament Team and was an All- Northern California selection. He was also an All-League baseball player and for his all around ability was named the San Francisco All-Sports Athlete of the Year.

He went on to Santa Clara University (’64) where he was a four year starter and recordsetting quarterback. Ron passed for a then school record of 4,309 career yards and was named as a Little-All-America selection quarterback in 1963. He also played baseball for three years and was the Bronco’s starting catcher on the only SCU team to go to the College World Series.

After playing at Santa Clare University, Calcagno was drafted by Oakland in the 19th round in the 1964 college draft. After his releasde by Oaklnd, Calcagno played with Indianapolis in the Continental Football League in 1964. Calcagno came to Canada initially with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but was faced with the pretty much impossible challenge of beating out Ron Lancaster for a job in Regina.  Calcagno ended up going to Toronto where he dressed for two games..

In 1972, Ron was named head football coach at Saint Francis High School and served in that capacity for 24 years compiling a record of 233-59-3. His Lancer teams made 21 Central Coast Section playoff appearances including 19 in a row, played in 16 championship games and captured 11 Central Coast Section Championships. He has a CCS playoff record of 53-10 and twice had playoff win streaks of 15 games in a row. His teams also captured 12 West Catholic Athletic League titles and finished second 10 times. Ron’s teams always displayed tremendous effort, selfless teamwork, and exemplary sportsmanship. Saint Francis High School dedicated its’ stadium as Ron Calcagno Stadium, an appropriate legacy for someone who has been a role model for so many student-athletes and colleagues.

Calcagno was inducted into the San Jose Sports Authority Hall of Fame(the city not the school) Hall of Fame in 2009.

A Stand Up Guy

Ron Calcagno in the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame

Calcagno Signs With Saskatchewan - May 15, 1965

Calcagno Comments on Regina - August 28, 1965