Longtime St. John’s Football Coach and Hall of Famer Bob Ricca Passes Away

Former St. John’s football coach Bob Ricca passed away over the weekend.

Jan 3, 2026; New York, New York, USA; The center court logo for the St. John's Red Storm at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

St. John’s announced yesterday that Bob Ricca, former St. John’s University football coach, passed away over the weekend at the age of 79.

"We were so saddened to hear of Coach Ricca's passing," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed Kull. "He mentored a generation of highly successful student-athletes and our football alumni remain one of the most loyal and dedicated groups at the University. That can be attributed in no small part to Coach Ricca. We offer our sincere condolences to his family, friends and former players." 

He was head coach of the St. John’s football team from 1974 until the program was shut down in 2002. Ricca’s contributions to the program were recognized with an induction into the Hall of Fame at St. John’s University in 1997.

Under his leadership, St. John’s began as a club-level team, then became a Division III team in 1978 before moving to a Division I-AA team, now referred to as the FCS, in 1983.

St. John's legend Bob Ricca dies at 79

Longtime St. John's football coach Bob Ricca dead at 79 https://t.co/GABei5ywwj

— New York Post (@nypost) August 31, 2026

Ricca played a key role in building the program and turning it into a successful team. He posted 15 winning seasons and won seven conference championships. Ricca was a three-time conference Coach of the Year winner, and he led his team to a 10-1 record in 1994 en route to an ECAC championship. Four of his players are in the St. John’s Athletics Hall of Fame.

Prior to the 1983 season, he shared this with the New York Times about the program.

"There's no question that basketball is still number one here," Ricca said. "But we're beginning to generate some fan interest on our own merits; we're developing our own identity."

The St. John’s Red Storm social media page posted about Ricca’s passing on Monday, captioned:

“St. John's Athletics mourns the passing of Hall of Famer Bob Ricca ❤️. Ricca coached the St. John's football team for nearly three decades.”

St. John's Athletics mourns the passing of Hall of Famer Bob Ricca ❤️

Ricca coached the St. John’s football team for nearly three decades.

🗞️: https://t.co/vaHQkIe90o pic.twitter.com/6MzEJJtOJk

— St. John's Red Storm (@StJohnsRedStorm) August 31, 2026

A statement made on the SJU Football Alumni Facebook page included this message at the end of a heartwarming tribute:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ricca family, his former players and coaches, and everyone in the St. John's community who had the privilege of knowing him.

Rest in Peace, Coach Ricca. Your impact on St. John's Football will never be forgotten. 🏈❤️🤍”

Ricca played football at Holy Cross High School and C.W. Post before beginning his coaching career with St. John’s as an assistant in 1970.

Ricca’s wake will take place on Friday, September 4 from 2-4 pm and 7 pm at Branch Funeral Home in Smithtown, with a funeral mass being held on Saturday, September 5 at 10:30 am at Christ the King in Commack.