Bob Salerno, former head football coach at Anaheim, and a longtime assistant coach at several county schools, died July 7, 2010 in Yorba Linda. He was 73 years old.
Born in Trinidad, Colorado on April 6, 1937, Salerno attended Holy Trinity High School, where he was a two-time all-state tackle. At the University of Colorado, Salerno earned three varsity letters and was a team captain as a senior and earned all-conference honors. Although he was drafted by both the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) and the Boston Patriots (1959)
Injuries prevented a professional football career and he ended up doing a stint in the U.S. Army before moving out to Southern California.
Following a year at Burke Junior High School in Pico Rivera, Salerno spent two years teaching and coaching at Fremont Junior High, and afterwards was invited to join the staff of Clare Van Hoorebeke at Anaheim High School in 1964. Within two years, he had been promoted to varsity defensive coordinator and helped guide the Colonists to advance in CIF play six times in seven years.
In 1973, Salerno took on the unenviable task of succeeding Van Hoorebeke (who retired as Orange County’s all-time winningest coach) as head coach at Anaheim. However, he maintained the Colonists’ high level of gridiron excellence in his four seasons as head coach, guiding his team to two league championships and advancing in CIF play four times (including three times to the semifinals).
Salerno stepped down as head coach following the 1976 season, but returned to coaching three years later. In a career that spanned across four decades, Salerno was a respected defensive coordinator at Anaheim (1966-72, 1979, 1987-88), University (1980), Foothill (1981-86), and Servite (1992-93). Only twice in 23 years as a varsity coach did his teams fail to advance in the CIF football playoffs.
Though perhaps more widely known for his success as a football coach, Bob Salerno’s impact was felt far beyond the football field. As a counselor in the Anaheim Union High School District for many years, Bob forged strong relationships with faculty members to identify and assist at-risk or disadvantaged students, helping them achieve their educational and professional goals.
In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments and contributions, Bob was inducted into the Anaheim High School “Hall of Fame” in 2005.
Known as “Sonny” to his closest friends, Bob Salerno is survived by his three children: Tony, Chris, and Carol and three grandchildren: James, Brian and Lauren.
Memorial service for Bob Salerno will be at St. Norbert Catholic Church (300 E. Taft Avenue) in Orange on Friday, July 16th at 10:00 AM. A reception will follow at 11:30 AM at the Phoenix Club (1340 S. Sanderson Avenue) in Anaheim.
A scholarship fund has been set up in Bob Salerno’s name, please send donations to:
Bob Salerno Memorial Scholarship
Anaheim High School Alumni Association
P.O. Box 389
Anaheim, CA 92815
