Over the last several years the SEPA football gods have often discussed our admiration for the Garnet Valley football program. In this treatise, we take a deep dive into the leadership, production, players and philosophy of the program. To be honest, GV was one of the catalysts for writing and trying to understand what the driving factors were for under and over performance in our District 1 6A Report Cards/The Man in the Glass missive. We gave GV an A grade with the comment “Who has done more with less?” Recall, GV’s enrollment of 608 ranks 28th out of 33 high schools in District 1 6A. Who says size matters? The GV success on the field speaks for itself, but we often wondered how Ricci was dominating the Central League and making consistent and deep runs into the District 1 playoffs. Since 2004, GV has 10 playoff victories which places them seventh in total number of postseason wins in District One. We discovered a highly ranked academic school with very nice facilities in an area where GV was benefiting from population growth, yet was somewhat protected from poaching (only 6 private schools within a 15 miles radius). Since the late the 1990s, the expansion of the Route 202 pharmaceutical corridor from Wilmington to West Chester has brought affluent households, jobs and a rising tax base.
Explanation accepted, correct? Not so fast. That said, what bothered us and what was hard for us to reconcile were the close to a dozen programs that had a similar “profile” without the same execution. See all the CB schools, Conestoga, Downingtown West and OJR. How about Methacton, Abington, Hatboro-Horsham and The Rocks? Souderton, Pennridge, Avon Grove and Quakertown are on the fringe, but on notice. FYI, we will address the splits in another story. It convinced us that there was MORE happening under the surface, something very special. Fast forward to our most recent endeavor, sifting through collegiate football rosters at every level. Garnet Valley, here is another Garnet Valley player, guess what another Garnet Valley name...team after team, we noticed not only the quantity but more importantly the quality of the institutions. GV was literally screaming at us. Here is the list of the SEPA high schools with the greatest number of players on current college rosters: (in order) SJP, Imhotep, North Penn, Wood, Downingtown East, Garnet Valley/LaSalle, West Catholic, Upper Darby, and Coatesville.
Isn’t GV the team that JUMPS off the page? Let’s make this easy. LaSalle may or may not be recruiting kids from the GV area, but let us compare them to give perspective. GV has the same number of players on college rosters as LaSalle (22) with 60% of the enrollment. Take the average acceptance rates and the average SAT scores of the schools in which these 44 players are attending, and GV comes out on top in both metrics (55% and 1307 compared to 58% and 1302). Incredibly interesting and we found the data absolutely fascinating. We did not see that in the Wyndmoor marketing material. Ever wonder why the matriculation of colleges cannot be found after “Exploring” the website? The FACT is if you reside in the GV school district, you have a BETTER chance to play on your high school team, a BETTER chance to play and attend (on average) a BETTER academic school than your LaSalle College High School brethren without paying the premium $24,200 sticker price. Time is yours.
Okay, obviously there is a lot tilted in the Jags favor. However, they still need to be coached up. Mike Ricci embodies leadership on and off the field with the help of 16 assistants, many of which are volunteers. He graduated from Susquehanna in 1984 and was mentored in high school by Steve Lennox, another Delco legend. He became head cat in 1986 and is now one of 5 coaches in Delco history with 200 wins (Lennox also on that list). Special citation to Strath Haven head man Kevin Clancy for notching is 300th victory. GV joined the Central in 2008—has never finished below second place. Cunning beasts taking advantage of favorable habitat to stalk and slay victims. The accolades and results speak for themselves. Seven straight years of 6A playoffs despite one of the smallest enrollments in District 1. SEPA Coach of the Year from the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2006 and 2016. In 2007, Eastern PA Big School Coach of the Year (PIAA 3A finalist), Delco Coaches Hall of Fame Coach of the Year (all sports) and District 1 Coach of the Year from the PA Football Coaches Association. In 2008, the NFL honored Ricci with an “Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award.” To boot, in 2010 The Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union honored him with an Excellence in Teaching Award. Making an impact in the classroom and on the gridiron.
He has helped students raise money for cancer awareness, he has placed over 100 former players in college (including the 22 on current college rosters—see more below) and he has developed coaches as well. Four assistants have gone on to be head coaches, and two former players are head coaches and one former player is a college defensive coordinator.
Mike, how have you built this program from a small, 2A outfit to a 6A juggernaut?
“Oneness” has provided both comfort and inspiration to the entire community. Ricci says, “Football is the least important thing we do here.” “I’m more proud of the kind of kid we produce than the football player we produce,” Ricci said.
That is clearly evident. Considering the 22 former Jags on college rosters, look at where they have leapt: 3 at FCS schools: Villanova (2) and Delaware. Seven at Division II colleges: 6 in the PSAC including 3 at West Chester, and one each at Shippensburg, East Stroudsburg and Millersville. Another at Stonehill MA. Most impressively, 12 at very strong academic Division III institutions: 9 in the Centennial Conference: FIVE (we smell a feeder) at Franklin & Marshall, 2 more at Ursinus and one each at Susquehanna and Juniata. The last three are at Amherst, Carnegie Mellon and Wesleyan. Not too shabby, huh? Despite all the honors and wins, these are his best stats. Talk about setting up kids for the long-term. No big-time recruits at FBS schools here, just quietly and efficiently pouncing on their prey, as the jaguar name translates.
Ricci operates under the belief that football is the least important thing that his team does. His biggest goal is that his players become good husbands, fathers, employees and community members.
Mike, what are you doing differently and focusing on than your peers?
“It is really cool because it has nothing to do with football but it has everything to do with football,” Ricci said. “It is a universal application I always tell parents. We want the same thing; we want to see their son be successful. The more we can work together to do that better, it will be for the players.”
No wonder more than 100 players come out for the team every year. That has allowed him to two platoon players, keep them fresh and engaged in the process of the team. EVERYONE dresses for home games. Welcome to the family. The irony lies in the mascot of the Jaguar. This feline beast is a lone predator. Ricci has found a system to establish collaboration and “oneness” in his group, truly getting them to operate as a unit and team. They are “The Pride” of Delco and have been hunting down Central foes and ambushing District 1 squads for many years.
Testimonial from a former player:
Next to my father, Mike Ricci is the best coach I have ever known. Whether it was baseball, football or in the classroom, Mr. Ricci treated every one of his students and his players like his own son or daughter. He always went the extra mile to help everyone he could and still does today.
Was Mr. Ricci a tough coach and a tough teacher? Absolutely. He poured his heart and soul into every class, every practice, every game and he expected the same of us. He was a demanding coach, a stern disciplinarian who worked us hard but who always was fair. Today, I thank God he pushed me so hard and I can guarantee you the majority of his former and current players feel the same.
Mike Ricci, we, the football gods, attest to your fine work in and out of the classroom. You are getting it done and setting up for players for a better future. Nice work, coach. You have set the standard in Delco, truly making your unit an endangered species.
