Remembering Joe Perella '63

11/30/2020 3:45:00 PM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The John Carroll University community mourns the loss of a former student-athlete, coach, and friend, Joe Perella '63. Perella passed away late Sunday evening.

Perella played football at JCU, served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 1994-99, and was a lifelong Man of Carroll.

In the late 1990s, Perella helped to launch the Blue Streaks' offense to new heights and produced some of the best and brightest minds in football today. Without a doubt, he was a JCU coaching icon.

Perella grew up on Murray Hill in Little Italy. He starred on the gridiron and the basketball court for since-closed Cathedral Latin High School. A 1958 Latin grad, Perella was later inducted into the school's Hall of Fame. He found his way to John Carroll University, where his athletic success continued as a football and basketball player. Following his graduation from JCU in 1963, Perella returned to Latin, coaching the freshman team for four seasons. Perella then rose to the college ranks.

Perella's first college coaching gig was at Florida State University. From there, Perella spent stints as offensive coordinator at the University of Cincinnati and the University of Louisville. But family then called him back to Northeast Ohio, and Perella came home to coach Latin. Perella served as the head coach of the Lions from 1973 until the school shut its doors in 1979.

But Perella rebounded quickly, becoming head football coach and a physical education teacher at Beachwood. Perella spent 10 seasons coaching the Bison and 20 years as a teacher at Beachwood. After the 1991 season, Perella took his coaching talents to University School, spending four seasons coaching the Preppers.

In 1994, his Alma Mater came calling. Perella joined the JCU coaching staff under the late, legendary Tony DeCarlo '66G. Perella assumed the reins of the offense as the team's offensive coordinator and instituted a high-flying attack. The Blue Streaks unveiled a spread offense with 3 and 4-wide receiver sets and schemes like the bubble screen that were not as common at the time.

During a very successful 6-year stint from 1994-99, Perella's offense ushered the Blue Streaks to a 49-11-2 mark, 25 broken school records, and an NCAA playoff appearance in 1997. Perella's impact goes far beyond University Heights, as he mentored many Blue Streaks who became successful professionally, most notably in the NFL. Nick Caserio '98 starred at quarterback under Perella, learning his craft. Caserio is now the Director of Player Personnel with the New England Patriots.

Tom Telesco '95 (General Manager, LA Chargers), Josh McDaniels '99 (Offensive Coordinator/QBs, New England Patriots), and Jerry Schuplinski '99, '02G (Assistant QBs, Miami Dolphins) all played on the offensive side of the ball under Perella. The offensive wizard also recruited Tom Arth '03 to JCU from Saint Ignatius, a move that propelled the Blue Streaks to further heights. Perella coached Arth during his freshman season and mentored him for many years, helping Arth along his path to becoming the head coach at the University of Akron. The Perella coaching tree has plenty of reach.

Perella headed north in 2000, becoming the offensive coordinator for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He spent just a season in Canada before returning again to be closer to his family. This time, Perella found a home at Case Western Reserve University. Perella led the Spartans from 2001-03, compiling a 16-14 record. One of his disciples, former JCU player and coach Greg Debelak '88, '95G, became the Spartans' next coach, and he's been there ever since.

Following the 2004 campaign, Perella returned to Beachwood High School as athletic director. Perella's Bison enjoyed some success, including with former JCU quarterback PJ Insana '95 as head football coach in 2005.

After a 5-year stint as AD at Beachwood, Perella capped his coaching career with Arth as an assistant at JCU from 2013-16.

Beyond his success on the field, Perella's outstanding work in forming men of character is his legacy, one that lives on with his former players. Perella was not just a great offensive mind, but a coach who mentored his students in how to be men off the field. Perella was rewarded with the 2009 Golden Deeds Award from the Greater Cleveland Football Coaches Association.

Perella's players at JCU and everywhere he coached won't soon forget Perella.

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