Danny Algeo Tribute
Danny Algeo, the head football coach for 14 total seasons at Roman Catholic (1996-99) and Cardinal O'Hara (2004-13), passed away July 3, 2014, several days after suffering a heart attack. He was 49.
Danny captured one Catholic League title at Roman (Red in '99) and another at O'Hara (Red in '04), and his overall CL record was 95-60. He began his coaching career right out of high school as an assistant to his father, Jim, at Lansdale Catholic.
A viewing was held Tuesday, July 8, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Lansdale. The homily was delivered by Father John Flanagan. Memories of Danny were offered by his daughter, Becca, Corey Brown (former O'Hara football star '10), and two friends going back to childhood, Tom Casey and Dan Collins.
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Remembrances
Bud Weaver: "In the three years I covered football for the Daily Times, I met many people that left an impact... Coach Algeo was one of those coaches, one of the good guys. It really is hard to think of another coach who brought as much passion and enthusiasm."
Tom Oropeza, former Bonner coach: "Danny made me a better coach and a better person. There's not many people I can say had that kind of impact on me."
Damiere Shaw: "Coach Algeo was more than just a football coach to me. He played the role of a teacher, a mentor, a motivator and most importantly, we became like family... I'll never forget when I got the news that my mother was diagnosed with cancer, he was one of the first people I called and cried to. To no surprise, Coach Algeo rushed to the hospital in support of me and my family."
Bob Fracek, RCHS '97: "Many people knew Dan Algeo as a football coach, but I knew Mr. Algeo as a teacher... Mr. Algeo always made the class interesting. We would talk movies before or after class."
Mark Wolpert, Maxwell Football Club: "It seems to me that 49 years is just not enough time for a person like Dan to be with us... He just had a very smooth approach to life and treated people with care and respect. This is truly a loss for the football community in Philadelphia."
Willie "Big Willie Styles" McGonigle: "If you are lucky enough in life there will be a few people besides your family that play a role in the person that you become. Without question besides my family there's one person that helped me become the man I am today. That person is Coach Algeo."
Brian Fluck, West Catholic Prep AD/Head Football Coach: "PCL & PIAA Football lost a great coach and a better gentleman. Dan was a good family man who loved his daughter and always had a smile when he talked about her."
Ed "Huck" Palmer: "Danny was one of these individuals over my many seasons on the trail. He always had time to take a phone call, answer an e-mail, or respond to a text. He always made me feel welcomed on his team's sideline."
Steve Weyler, Cardinal O'Hara Class of 2014: "I lost more than a Coach, I lost a great friend... His last words to me were, 'Focus on the kick' -- this season is for you, Coach."