Hall of Fame San Francisco football coach steps aside amid health concerns

Legendary Lincoln coach Phil Ferrigno resigns after 10 section, thee state championships but will still preach 'dedication, discipline and desire' from PE Chairman's seat

Lincoln football coach Phil Ferrigno (right) hands off one of the school's 10 San Francisco Section championship trophies from 2005 to 2023 with him as head coach. This was after 35-0 win over Balboa in the 2023 title game at Kezar Stadium. / Photo by Ernie Abrea

The most recognizable and successful high school football coach since the turn of the century, from one of the country’s most recognizable cities, announced Monday that he’s stepping away for health reasons. 

He does so with no regrets. 

Phil Ferrigno told his Lincoln of San Francisco team Monday afternoon that after 22 seasons, 10 section and three state championships that 2024 was his last as head coach. 

The 62-year-old will stay on as chairman of the school’s physical education department and will mentor his players from a distance, no doubt still passing on his three ‘D’ principals he’s hammered home for part of five decades as a football coach: Dedication, discipline and desire. 

He leaves with a head coaching record at Lincoln of 158-89 which isn’t as impressive as the legacy of consistency, toughness and straight ahead, no-nonsense approach.

Both on the field and in the classroom. 

Ferrigno is as proud of the program's 100% graduation rate since he took over in 2002 as his 19 playoff appearances and 15 spots in the Turkey Day Game, a Thanksgiving affair that doubles as the Academic Athletic Association/San Francisco Section title game. 

He was inducted into the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame in June. 

He's a city kid through and through, graduating in 1980 from Riordan, where he played before stints at CCSF and San Francisco State. He then embarked on a 42-year coaching career with previous time at Riordan, CCSF, Sacred Heart Cathedral and Mission.

Lincoln coach Phil Ferrigno gives instruction to wide receiver Michael Simmons during the team's 44-7 win over Balboa for the San Francisco 2022 championship at Kezar Stadium / Photo by Ernie Abrea

“It’s time to step away and ride off into the sunset,” Ferrigno said an hour after telling about 30 of his team players. “The kids were great about it. Once they knew the reasons.” 

Junior tailback Mikey Washington, the AAA’s 2024 co-Offensive Player of the Year, was jarred by the news, but then relieved by Ferrigno's ultimate message.

“He’s a great coach and a great man and we’re going to miss him," said the highly productive tailback, one in a long line of workhorse backs who rushed for 1,942 yards and 27 touchdowns in 11 games last season. "At the same time for him to prioritize his family and his health is absolutely the right thing to do. 

“Besides, at the end of the day, he’ll still be there for us.” 

Ferrigno said in early March he was having difficuluty breathing and his cardiologist suggested in no uncertain terms to take it easy. Especially with a family history of heart ailments. 

One of eight children from a football family — his brother Dan coached collegiately from 1978 to 2023 — Ferrigno is more than familiar with the demands of heading up a program, especially in the AAA.

He set the bar on and off the field, said former AAA Commissioner Don Collins. 

“It’s a huge loss for the league and the community,” said Collins, who retired after 20 years as commissioner on Dec. 31, 2021. “He played an instrumental role in shaping the high school game in San Francisco for two decades and was a leader and a voice for all coaches in the section. He was a huge advocate for kids to play all sports and for them to do well in the classroom.”

Ferrigno's impact was known well beyond the state's fourth-most populous city. California Interscholastic Federation Director Ron Nocetti, himself raised in San Francisco, has admired the long time coach for decades.

"Congratulations to coach Ferrigno on an amazing tenure at Lincoln High School," Nocetti texted. "He has been a coaching fixture in San Francisco for many years and I extend my heartfelt gratitude for all the he has done to transform the lives of countless young people in the city."

What most San Francisco public school fans will remember, especially of the cardinal and gold, were all the victories and championships. 

Taking over a program in need of structure and a new voice, the Mustangs went 13-17 his first three seasons before rattling off an unprecedented four straight section titles, utilizing the talents of another SF Prep Hall of Famer, the late David Henderson. 

Phil Ferrigno resigned his post Monday for health reasons after 22 seasons at Lincoln High School in San Francisco. This was after the team's 2023 championship, a 35-0 win over Balboa. / Photo by Mitch Stephens

Getting to the SFS title game on Thanksgiving became a regular occurrence for the Mustangs over the next decade, but it wasn’t until 2017 when the CIF State expanded its playoffs that Lincoln's excellence was noticed outside of San Francisco.

His teams won consecutive state titles in 2018 and 2019 — with combined records of 25-1 — and and another state crown in 2022 after a 54-6 win over Crenshaw. 

“The championships were great but mostly I’ll treasure the interaction with all the kids, the day to day, the coaches, all of it,” he said. “Every year we got to the Turkey Game was surely a highlight. Getting to play on Thanksgiving with all the family and schools there at Kezar Stadium, that never got old.” 

What he most remembers, he said, is the very first team he coached. Just hired over from league rival Mission, he recalls driving up and seeing all his new players on the campus' catwalk.  

The three principles that Lincoln football coach based his program after was etched in every Mustang player and stitched to the back of these 2024 caps. The initials JB are of former assistant coach and close friend John Baxter, who passed away in 2006. / Photo by Mitch Stephens

“I’ll never forget the looks on their faces, like 12 or 13 of them, just hungry to get after it,” Ferrigno said. “We weren’t very good. Like 3-6. But those kids played hard and laid the foundation of hard work and grit.” 

The most memorable game of his career he said was a 21-14 North Regional win in 2019 at Mariposa County, a 180-mile drive well outside of Merced. Though located in the same Northern California region, it might as well have been played on a different continent.

“A bunch of city kids playing in the sticks,” Ferrigno said with a laugh. “We stopped the bus for sandwiches and the kids didn’t know that smell of cow (manure). Hilarious. We went in there and got the job done. I’ll never forget that drive home, all the smiles. All the laughter. Everyone was so excited. So much joy. 

“I come from a big family. It was like one big family celebration. Except we were all from different backgrounds. Different upbringings. To do it all together, so far from home, was extra special.”

Much like his coaching career.

What Lincoln coach Phil Ferrigno (directly behind four children) treasures most — his family. This after the 2023 San Francisco Section/Turkey Day win over Balboa at Kezar Stadium. Ferrigno was forced to resign Monday due to health concerns. / Photo by Mitch Stephens

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