John Chironna

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.^[1]

Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, Chironna was raised in Westfield, New Jersey and played football and basketball at Westfield High School.^[2] 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.^{[citation needed]}

Former Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis credited Chironna for influencing his view of football.^[3] 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."^[3] Weis taught English and was an assistant coach to Chironna at Morristown High School in Morris County, New Jersey during Weis' early coaching career.^[3]