Bruce Gradkowski named St. Francis interim football coach

Jun. 15—Former University of Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski is the new interim head football coach of St. Francis de Sales School, the school announced Tuesday.

Gradkowski replaces Dan Chipka, who recently left to work for a collegiate team. Gradowski, 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," Gradkowski said. "It's such a great opportunity. To be able to give back and help student-athletes ... that's what I'm excited about. We're going to be a group that focuses on what we can control. That's our attitude, our effort, and our preparation."

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

Gradowski, 38, takes over for Chipka, who stepped down on June 4 after four years of leading the Knights to take a job at the collegiate level. Chipka was 16-22 overall with an 11-16 record in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference.

Last fall, Chipka lead St. Francis to a 4-2 record during the regular season, all in league play due to the coronavirus-shortened season. St. Francis finished 6-3 overall after beating North Ridgeville and Anthony Wayne in postseason play.

The Knights enjoyed a long string of success under former longtime coach Dick Cromwell, who is a member of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame

Cromwell, who is the City League's all-time winningest football coach, finished with 208 victories in 26 seasons at St. Francis.

Cromwell led the Knights to state championships in 1984 and 2001, as well as a runner-up finish in 1982. In Cromwell's last season in 2009, the Knights went 11-2 record with an 11th state playoff appearance.

After Cromwell's departure, the Knights struggled to find consistent success. St. Francis endured a three-year stretch where the team went 3-27, including a first-ever 0-10 season in 2016.

Gradkowski had a record-setting career at Toledo and was selected by Tampa Bay in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft.

Following Tampa Bay, he also has played for Cleveland, Oakland, Cincinnati, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Gradkowski played in 34 games in the NFL and threw for 4,057 yards and 21 touchdowns.

At Toledo from 2001-05, Gradkowski set 27 school passing records in his three-year career. During his three years at the helm, Gradkowski led UT to a 26-11 record, a Mid-American Conference championship, two MAC West Division titles, and two bowl games.

Gradkowski is the Rockets' career leader in passing yards (9,225), passing completions (766), and TD passes (85).

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First Published June 15, 2021, 1:14pm