After 55 seasons, Gagliardi's teams still set the standard for MIAC competitors. He has coached four national championship teams (1963, 1965, 1976 and 2003), and made the 2000 national title game. His teams have reached the national semifinals as well in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 2001 and 2002. In 2001, Gagliardi became only the third coach in NCAA college football history to coach 500 career games.
As a collegiate coach Gagliardi's teams have won 28 conference titles, including 2005 and 2006, and have appeared in 56 post-season games. In the past 41 years, SJU has been nationally ranked 40 times, and it owns a 39-17 postseason record. In 1993, SJU averaged 61.5 points per game, setting a record that might never be broken.
Gagliardi's success is attributable to more than mere football strategy and tactics. He is an astute judge of talent. He creates an environment of fun and high expectations and he concentrates on methods and practices that truly focus on winning football games. In short, Gagliardi's approach is one of concentration at the critical point and flawless execution. It is accomplished through a practice regimen that is purposeful -- emphasizing repetition and fundamentals. His coaching methods have been distilled into a series of "Winning With Nos," some of which are listed below.
No blocking sleds or dummies
No scholarships
No compulsory weightlifting program
No whistles
No "coach" - players call him John
No tackling in practice - players wear shorts or sweats
Short practices - an hour and a half or less
