Bruce Gradkowski named St. Francis interim football coach

Jun. 16—Former University of Toledo and NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski will return to the Glass Bowl, this time as the new interim football coach of St. Francis de Sales School.

Gradkowski replaces Dan Chipka, who recently left to coach at Wingate University. Gradkowski, who played at Toledo from 2001-05, was inducted into the Rockets' athletic hall of fame in 2012.

The record-setting college quarterback has experience at the high school level. He was an assistant coach at Anthony Wayne, helping with the quarterbacks.

"I'm fired up. I'm very excited about the opportunity," Gradkowski said. "I'm really excited to work with the student-athletes. I've studied the game throughout my life, more so lately working for NFL Radio. But I've missed the interactions and helping and teaching and supporting the young guys on their path. I love the Xs and Os but more importantly, I'm looking forward to helping them off the field. These kids are growing and developing and chasing their dreams, whether it's football or whatever they dream to do professionally. I want to help support and guide them. I'm excited to get to work."

St. Francis athletic director Justin Edgell said Gradkowski brings instant credibility.

"We are really excited," Edgell said. "He has the football pedigree and he has a passion and love for Toledo. He has coaching experience in the area. He was an assistant at Anthony Wayne for a few years, specifically working with the quarterbacks and you see what those quarterbacks out there in Whitehouse have been able to do the last couple of years. That is impressive and he had a hand with that."

The president of St. Francis de Sales School, Fr. Geoff Rose, added that he is impressed by Gradkowski's "passion for the development of young men," along with his previous experience in the sport.

Gradkowski, a 38-year-old native of Pittsburgh, takes over for Chipka, who stepped down on June 4 after four years of leading the Knights to take a job at Wingate University in North Carolina. Chipka was 16-22 overall with an 11-16 record in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference.

Edgell said the hiring process proceeded very quickly last weekend.

"Ten days ago we got the surprising news and in that short time period to be able to have conversations and making this work with Gradkowski was a big positive for us," he said. "I feel like Bruce has the ability to continue to build on this growth that Dan has started. We're really looking forward to what this next season will new look."

Edgell said both sides mutually agreed to add the "interim" title.

"Because it wasn't a traditional hiring process and happened so quickly, both parties agreed that we would dub it the interim head coach position with an evaluation — like we do with all of our coaches at the end of the season," he said. "We at St. Francis and Bruce are both stepping into this with long-term aspirations. We are not approaching this as a one-and-done. But this is his first time as a head coach and he has several different responsibilities on his plate and opportunities that present themselves on a regular basis because of his name and his history in the NFL. We want to make sure it's a great fit for us and we want to make sure it's a great fit for him. We are giving him as many resources as we can to make this work."

Anthony Wayne coach Andy Brungard said he has encouraged Gradkowski to pursue coaching.

"I've been telling him for years he should concentrate on coaching because he has a natural gift for it," Brungard said.

In 2018, Gradkowski helped mold AW quarterbacks Max Denman and Mason Alberts, The Blade's 2019 player of the year.

"Being over Anthony Wayne helped," Gradkowski said. "Andy Brungard runs a great program and it was cool for me to see what they built there and how they're doing it."

Denman earned Northern Lakes League co-player of the year honors in 2018 after leading AW to the first undefeated regular season in school history. Denman completed 145 of 233 passes for 2,346 yards (a program record) and 33 touchdowns (another program record) with just four interceptions. He is the school's all-time leader in career passing yards (3,629) and TD passes (42).

"Bruce is incredible with young athletes," Brungard said. "He's a great mentor and always has a positive demeanor with kids."

Gradkowski said he has an enormous amount of respect for the local coaching fraternity.

"There are so many good coaches around this area and they do it for the right reasons, to support the kids," he said. "I'm excited to join that fraternity that is making the area is better."

Gradkowski said he will meet his new players for the first time on Wednesday, but that he already knows he is inheriting a talented group.

"There are a lot of good football players at St. Francis. We will build around those players. The style will depend on the players we have and what fits the team's needs," he said.

Gradkowski will make a return home to the Glass Bowl when St. Francis opens against Clyde at the UT's stadium on Friday, Aug. 20. The Knights play their home games at the college stadium.

Gradkowski settled here with his wife Miranda, who is from Tiffin, and their three children. He owns a restaurant in Perrysburg called Social Gastropub.

"Toledo has been great to me," Gradkowski said. "I came to the University of Toledo when I was 18 years old, trying to find my way through football and the community brought me in as one of their own. I've been very blessed to be around the right people. God always leads the way and I'm very fortunate to be where I am."

First Published June 15, 2021, 1:14pm