February 24, 2017
According to the Bucks County Courier Times, Mike Pettine Sr., the legendary high school football coach at Central Bucks West, died on Friday in Florida:
Mike Pettine, the legendary head football coach at Central Bucks West, and the father of former Cleveland Browns head coach Michael Pettine died suddenly Friday at his winter home in Florida.
Pettine guided the Bucks to four PIAA state championships in his 33 seasons, and many of the seasons he coached predated the invention of the state football playoffs.
Pettine, who had a patently absurd record of 326-42-4 in his career at CB West, is the father of former Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine Jr., who got his start coaching under his father before eventually becoming rivals when Mike Jr. took over the job at North Penn.
“This is a tremendous loss for not only the Central Bucks School District but for our entire community," Central Bucks district superintendent said in a statement. "Coach Pettine’s impact went far beyond his amazing records of wins because he made a lasting impact on the lives of many, many young men. He taught them life-long lessons about hard work and perseverance. His dedication and commitment to excellence created leaders throughout our community and country who are making great contributions.”
Pettine won three straight state championships at CB West from 1997 to 1999, the last of which was chronicled by ESPN in a documentary:
Mike Pettine Sr., who over 33 years at CB West became arguably the greatest high school football coach in PA history, died today. RIP.
— Mike Sielski (@MikeSielski) February 24, 2017
Sad to report that Mike Pettine- the legendary CB West football coach and father of former Browns coach - died today suddenly in Florida
— Kevin Cooney (@KevinCooney) February 24, 2017
