Bob DiSpirito

Bob DiSpirito
Biographical details
Born(1928-08-09)August 9, 1928
Woonsocket, Rhode Island, U.S.
DiedDecember 21, 2015(2015-12-21) (aged 87)
Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1950–1953Rhode Island
Baseball
c. 1953Rhode Island
Position(s)Center, guard (football)
Catcher (baseball)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1956Cheshire Academy (CT) (line)
1957Cheshire Academy (CT)
1958–1959Bridgeport (assistant)
1960–1964Bridgeport
1965–1966Bucknell (line)
1967–1980Slippery Rock
1987Slippery Rock (interim HC)
Baseball
c. 1957Cheshire Academy (CT)
1959–1964Bridgeport
Head coaching record
Overall97–82–4 (college football)
56–48 (college baseball)
Bowls0–1
TournamentsFootball
0–1 (NCAA D-III playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
3 PSAC (1972–1974)
4 PSAC West Division (1972–1974, 1976)

Robert George DiSpirito Sr. (August 9, 1928 – December 21, 2015) was an American college football and college baseball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Bridgeport from 1960 to 1964.[1] DiSpirito was the head football coach at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania from 1967 to 1980 and again on an interim basis during the 1987 seasons. He played football at the University of Rhode Island, lettering in 1950.[2]

DiSpirito was also the head baseball coach at Bridgeport from 1959 to 1964, tallying a mark of 56–48 in six seasons. He left Bridgeport in 1965 to become an assistant football coach at Bucknell University.[3][4]

Head coaching record

College football

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs AP#
Bridgeport Purple Knights (NCAA College Division independent) (1960–1964)
1960 Bridgeport 4–2–1
1961 Bridgeport 4–5
1962 Bridgeport 5–4
1963 Bridgeport 4–5
1964 Bridgeport 1–6
Bridgeport: 18–22–1
Slippery Rock Rockets (Pennsylvania State College Athletic Conference / Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) (1967–1980)
1967 Slippery Rock 2–7 0–5 6th (West)
1968 Slippery Rock 3–6 2–3 4th (West)
1969 Slippery Rock 6–3 3–2 2nd (West)
1970 Slippery Rock 4–5 2–3 T–4th (West)
1971 Slippery Rock 7–2 4–1 2nd (West)
1972 Slippery Rock 8–2–1 4–0–1 1st (West) L Knute Rockne Bowl
1973 Slippery Rock 8–2 5–0 1st (West)
1974 Slippery Rock 9–1–1 5–0–1 1st (West) L NCAA Division III Semifinal 13
1975 Slippery Rock 4–5 3–3 T–4th (West)
1976 Slippery Rock 7–3 5–1 T–1st (West)
1977 Slippery Rock 4–4–1 3–2–1 3rd (West)
1978 Slippery Rock 6–3 4–2 3rd (West)
1979 Slippery Rock 3–6 2–4 T–4th (West)
1980 Slippery Rock 4–5 3–3 T–4th (West)
Slippery Rock Rockets (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) (1987)
1987 Slippery Rock 4–6 3–3 T–3rd (West)
Slippery Rock: 79–60–3 48–32–3
Total: 97–82–4

References

  1. ^ "Bob DiSpirito". Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  2. ^ "Bob DiSpirito". legacy.com. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  3. ^ "Bridgeport Loses Head Grid Coach". The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield, Massachusetts. United Press International. March 2, 1965. p. 9. Retrieved May 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  4. ^ "Bob DiSpirito Named Slippery Rock Coach". The Bridgeport Telegram. Bridgeport, Connecticut. March 20, 1967. p. 8. Retrieved May 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.