Cranbrook Taps Former Country Day Legend as Football Coach

Cranbrook-Kingswood schools on Tuesday named legendary former Detroit Country Day coach Joe D'Angelo the varsity head football coach for the fall of 2013.

“We are very excited about coach D’Angelo taking over the reins of the Cranbrook varsity football program," said Cranbrook Athletic Director Steve Graf in a news release.

D'Angelo began teaching in 1966, and his head-coaching career spanned 24 years. During his 13 seasons at the helm for Country Day, the Yellowjackets posted a 144-53 record, according to the Michigan High School Football Association's website. He was inducted into the MHSFCA Hallf of Fame in 1990.

In addition to the impressive record, his coaching accolades include:

• 9-time MHSFCA Regional Coach The Year
• Michigan High School Coaches Coaches Association Class C Coach of the Year, 1986
• Detroit News and Detroit Free Press Coach of the Year, 1986
• Associated Press Coach of The Year, 1986
• Harvey Barcus Award, 1984

D'Angelo joined the Cranes coaching staff last fall and served as associate head coach and offensive coordinator. The team finished 2-7 and winless in the very tough Catholic League.

"Joe’s football contributions to the Catholic League and to our local community are legendary," added Graf, who coached the Cranes for the past three years. "He brings successful experience as a Michigan Hall of Fame football coach, as an educator and as a mentor of young men."

D'Angelo will put together a new coaching staff, school officials said. 

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