Coaching legends Vern Friedli and Bob Brink announce retirements
February 29, 2012 by MaxPreps, AZPreps365
A pair of high school coaching legends announced their retirements this week.
Vern Friedli decided to leave Amphitheater (Tucson, Ariz.) after winning a state-record 331 football games. The 75-year-old marvel has been undergoing physical therapy for a stroke he suffered 13 months ago.
Bob Brink said he will complete his 51st season as a boys basketball coach - 42 at Rocori (Cold Spring, Minn.) - before making his retirement official. The 74-year-old hall of fame coach has won 935 games, second in Minnesota history.
Friedli, who coached for 36 years, told the Arizona Daily Star that lack of mobility to tutor his players was a major reason to retire. Former player Matt Johnson, now a coach himself, said, "It's stunning. I'm stunned. He is a legacy that will never be matched in this state."
Another former player, Jon Volpe, expressed disappointment that Friedli would not some day be able to coach his young son.
His message was simple: "When the game is over, make your mother proud."
Brink has two regular-season games left and the state tournament before he retires. He has coached many sports over the years, but his proudest moment may have been when he guided Rocori to a perfect 26-0 record and the Class 2A state championship in 1988.
Vern Friedli decided to leave Amphitheater (Tucson, Ariz.) after winning a state-record 331 football games. The 75-year-old marvel has been undergoing physical therapy for a stroke he suffered 13 months ago.
Bob Brink said he will complete his 51st season as a boys basketball coach - 42 at Rocori (Cold Spring, Minn.) - before making his retirement official. The 74-year-old hall of fame coach has won 935 games, second in Minnesota history.
Friedli, who coached for 36 years, told the Arizona Daily Star that lack of mobility to tutor his players was a major reason to retire. Former player Matt Johnson, now a coach himself, said, "It's stunning. I'm stunned. He is a legacy that will never be matched in this state."
Another former player, Jon Volpe, expressed disappointment that Friedli would not some day be able to coach his young son.
His message was simple: "When the game is over, make your mother proud."
Brink has two regular-season games left and the state tournament before he retires. He has coached many sports over the years, but his proudest moment may have been when he guided Rocori to a perfect 26-0 record and the Class 2A state championship in 1988.
