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. Bob was inducted into the Anaheim High School “Hall of Fame” in 2005 for his outstanding contributions to Orange County youth.
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.
In addition to his football successes, Salerno had a distinguished career in education. He was a counselor in the Anaheim Union High School District for many years, most recently at the Trident Education Center.
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.
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
Assistant Football Coach 1964-1972, 79, 87-88
AHS Counselor
