Bellino will not return to SBA

John Bellino has coached St. Bede Bruins’ football for the past 35 seasons. If it was up to him, he would keep on coaching at St. Bede.

Bellino told the BCR previously, however, he had been informed by the academy prior to the 2014 season it would be his last. He said the academy has now made that decision final.

“I think our program speaks for itself. I think we’ve done a good job. I guess it’s time for the school to move into a different direction. I guess that’s what they want to do,” he said.

Bellino was also relieved from his position as head baseball coach following the conclusion of the 2014 season.

That was all by design, according to his statement released Thursday, Jan. 29 from SBA principal Michelle Mershon. It stated approximately 18 months ago, a plan approved by coach John Bellino was “developed to provide a smooth transition for the St. Bede Academy baseball and football programs. The implementation of this plan began (last summer for baseball) and will be complete this fall (for football).”

Bellino is the second varsity SBA coach to be relieved of their duties. Dawn Williams was let go from volleyball earlier this month.

Having graduated from St. Bede in 1968 and spending the past 40 years on the academy staff, Bellino said it’s going to be a rather tough transition. He’s already started the process of going through his office files of material he’s collected over the past 40 years.

“You’re trying to get your stuff together and throwing stuff away you thought you’d use forever. Lot of stuff … memories and strategies we used, scouting reports, that will never be used again,” he said. “Age sneaks up on you. I guess that’s the way it is. I guess everybody’s got to go through the process.”

Bellino, who turned 65 Thursday, Jan. 29, said he will not return to teach next year at St. Bede nor does he anticipate coaching or teaching anywhere else.

“Coaching is probably more difficult than teaching,” he said. “We’re going to put our product out on the field for everyone to see. In teaching, you’re in a classroom and not everyone gets to see that every day. But in football and baseball you had to put your product out there.”

SBA athletic director Tom McGunnigal, who said Bellino mentored him both as an athlete and coaching under him, said it will be different not having the longtime Bruins coach at the academy next year.

Bellino compiled a 176-161 record in 35 year as the Bruins’ head football coach. He said he has a lot of great memories as far as games go, but what he treasures most are the relationships he’s developed.

“I think the camaraderie between the coaches I’ve coached against and assistant coaches. Of course the kids have played for us, have always played very, very hard for us and been representative of the school,” he said.

He said when he first started out coaching, he had more of a love for baseball, but as time went on, he grew to love football even more.

“I think football became more of a passion,” he said. “It took more work to put a quality team on the field. You had to find ways to create and give yourself an edge.”

For years a grind-it-out, off-tackle kind of coach, Bellino said he adapted to spread out the Bruins’ offense in most recent years with the strong arm of quarterback Jack Brady.

“It’s been a fun transition for us. In a lot of ways, it’s easier to coach when you’ve got great skill kids and an offensive line that gives you time to throw,” he said. “It still comes down to your linemen, both offensively and defensively, to have kids who will work hard in both positions, and they don’t get a lot of credit.”

Bellino said he learned how to adapt playing one season for and coaching five under legendary coach John Gaughn.

“He brought in new concepts. One thing I learned from him is you have to adapt to the talent you have on the field. Over the years, he’s been somebody we could go to when we needed anything,” Bellino said.

Under Bellino’s direction, the football Bruins reached the playoffs 14 times, including the last five years and 10 the last 12. Their deepest advancement came in 2001 when they reached the 2A semifinals.

In baseball, Bellino guided the Bruins to the 1988 Class A State championship, and a return trip to the state tournament in 1992.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.