Joe Fortunato (coach)

Joseph Fortunato (July 4, 1918 – February 21, 2004) was an American football, basketball, and baseball coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Adrian College from 1953 to 1955, tallying a mark of 8–17–1. Fortunato was also head baseball coach at the University of Toledo from 1952 to 1953 and at Adrian in 1954, compiling a career college baseball record of 11–26. In addition, he served as the head basketball coach at Upper Iowa University and at the University of Dubuque. He died in 2004.[1]

Joe Fortunato
Biographical details
Born(1918-07-04)July 4, 1918
Ohio
DiedFebruary 21, 2004(2004-02-21) (aged 85)
Tecumseh, Michigan
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
c. 1945Miami (OH) (line)
1946Leetonia HS (OH)
1947–1948Upper Iowa (assistant)
1949–1950Dubuque (line)
1951–1952Toledo (line)
1953–1955Adrian
Basketball
1946–1947Leetonia HS (OH)
1947–1949Upper Iowa
1949–1951Dubuque
1953–1956Adrian
Baseball
1952–1953Toledo
1954Adrian
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1947–1949Upper Iowa
c. 1956Adrian
Head coaching record
Overall8–17–1 (college football)
11–26 (college baseball)

Early life and education

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Fortunato earned a bachelor of science degree at Kent State University.[2]

Coaching career

Fortunato served in the United States Navy as an athletic officer in the V-5 program at Miami University, where he coached the linemen on the football team under Sid Gillman. From 1946 to 1947, Fortunato coached football and basketball at Leetonia High School in Leetonia, Ohio before moving to Upper Iowa University, where he served as athletic director, head basketball coach, and assistant football coach.[3] He was hired at the University of Dubuque in April 1949 as head basketball coach and football line coach.[2] In April 1951, Fortunato was named line coach at the University of Toledo, joining the football coaching staff headed by Don Greenwood.[3]

Fortunato was the head football coach at Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan. He held that position for three seasons, from 1953 until 1955. His coaching record at Adrian was 8–17–1.[4]

Head coaching record

College football
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Adrian Bulldogs (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1953–1955)
1953 Adrian 2–5–11–4–16th
1954 Adrian 2–71–5T–6th
1955 Adrian 4–52–46th
Adrian: 8–17–14–13–1
Total:8–17–1
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References
  1. "Ex-coach, athletic director had been a standout player". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. February 23, 2004.
  2. "U Hires Joe Fortunato". Telegraph Herald. Dubuque, Iowa. April 20, 1949. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
  3. "Joe Fortunato To Coach Line For Toledo U". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. April 26, 1951. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
  4. DeLassus, David. "Adrian Coaching Records". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
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