WCSD welcomes back Joseph Delgardo as varsity football coach

“Once a Wizard, Always a Wizard” rings especially true for 2017 Washingtonville High School graduate Joseph Delgardo, who returns this fall as the school’s varsity football coach. His journey back to the field where it all started brings his experience full circle.

After graduation, Mr. Delgardo attended Mansfield University, majoring in sports nutrition while also playing football. However, multiple ACL tears prevented him from continuing to play. Despite these setbacks, remained an integral part of his team, contributing wherever he could. This shifted his focus toward coaching and provided him with a deeper understanding of the game’s intricacies.

“I always want to help out more, and understanding the game better led to coaching,” Mr. Delgardo explained. His first coaching opportunity arose after college, when Mansfield sought out his defensive expertise. Although he enjoyed the collegiate coaching experience, Mr. Delgardo felt drawn back to his roots.  

Returning home, Mr. Delgardo quickly transitioned to becoming part of the coaching staff at WHS. Over the last two seasons, he served as junior varsity defensive coordinator, a role that has allowed him to reconnect with former mentors, including recently retired coach Donald Clark and Joshua McElroy. His father, John Delgardo, a longtime football coach at WHS, remains a guiding force by his side.

“I love coaching alongside my dad,” he said. “We're always collaborating, talking strategies and figuring out how to best help our players develop. It’s way more fun than just asking about each other’s days.” 

One of Mr. Delgardo’s favorite memories as a player was winning the Scott Pioli Award, named after the prominent NFL executive and Washingtonville alum, and clinching the division championship against rival Minisink Valley his senior year. 

“It was unforgettable. Before the game, they took a sledgehammer to our W, which really motivated us to beat them,” he recalled. “It was 14-0. We ended up winning and we held them to seven yards of total offense. There’s a photo in the hallway from that day to prove it.”

As head coach, Mr. Delgardo aims to foster a high-energy atmosphere reminiscent of his college days.

“I want everyone there to feel on top – something that energizes our players, the student section and the community,” he said. “In college, the atmosphere was incredible with the band and the student section going wild. I want to bring everything I learned from there and implement it as much as I can at the high school level.”

Mr. Delgardo’s coaching philosophy centers on effort and development. 

“I’m all about full effort – going 100 miles an hour – because if you do things at half speed, you’re not going to get the benefit from it,” he explained. “Success to me is seeing each player’s growth, not just athletically but academically and personally as well.”

Beyond coaching, Mr. Delgardo stays active as a personal trainer and enjoys fitness, country music and recently discovered line dancing. He’s currently in his second semester of graduate school, working toward a master’s in Physical Education at Manhattanville University. Off the field, he's a passionate fan of the Giants, Rangers, Yankees and Knicks, with favorite athletes including Derek Jeter and Aaron Judge.