COLLEGEVILLE – St. John’s football coach John Gagliardi is starting his sixth decade at the helm of the Johnnie football program.

The Gagliardi era at Collegeville began in 1953. Since then, he’s led St. John’s to four national championships, in 1963, 1965, 1976, and 2003.  He says his survival is a miracle.

Gagliardi, who turns 86 in November, is the winningest coach in college football history. His career record is 484 wins, 133 losses, and 11 ties. Gagliardi said he has a goal of making it to 500 wins, which means he needs 16 more.

Gagliardi is coaching three of his own grandkids this season, as well as one player whose grandfather was on the 1953 team.