Staff Bios.
Frank DeLano
Head Football Coach
Boys Varsity Football
Alma Mater:
Gloucester Catholic (1994), King's College (1998)
Experience:
2024 is Coach DeLano's 27th Year at Haddonfield - 23rd Season as Head Coach
Career Record:
171 Wins - 68 Losses (171 Wins - First All Time in school History)
Coach DeLano, a 2022 member of the New Jersey Football Coaches Hall of Fame, and a 2016 member of the South Jersey Football Coaches Hall of Fame, begins his 27th season at Haddonfield Memorial High School. The 2024 season will be his 23rd season as the head coach of the Haddonfield varsity football program. Coach DeLano and his staff have guided the Bulldogs to sixteen of Haddonfield’s nineteen overall playoff appearances, including thirteen trips to the semi-finals, nine appearances in the South & Central Jersey Group II title games (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023), and two Regional Bowl Championship Games. Coach DeLano has guided the Bulldogs to Six NJSIAA SJ/CJ Group II State Championships and Two Regional Bowl Championships.
After winning 11 games in 2010, the season culminated as Haddonfield won the South Jersey Group II State Championship for the first time since the advent of the state playoff system (Since 1974).
In 2011, the Haddons qualified for their fourth consecutive NJSIAA playoff appearance for the first time in the history of Haddonfield High School. The Bulldogs won 11 games for the second time in school history, where football at HMHS began in 1893. The season culminated as Haddonfield advanced to the South Jersey Group II State Championship Game for the third consecutive season. In addition, the Bulldogs captured the 2011 Colonial Conference Championship. This was Haddonfield’s first outright conference title since 1964.
In 2013, the Bulldogs completed one of the most memorable journeys in South Jersey history. Coach DeLano’s Haddonfield Bulldogs defeated three undefeated teams to capture the South Jersey Group II Championship.
In 2014, Haddonfield completed a 12 – 0 campaign, which was the Bulldogs first undefeated season in 50 years. In the process, the Haddons secured the South Jersey Group II State Championship for the second consecutive season. This was Haddonfield’s third championship in five years. In addition, Haddonfield earned National Ranking status from MaxPreps as one of the top high school football programs in the country.
In 2017, the Haddons entered the post season tournament as a 6th seed. Coach, his staff, and team put together a remarkable run that resulted in the Bulldogs capturing their fourth SJ Group II State Championship.
In 2018, the Bulldogs had a remarkable year, posting a record of 13-0 and winning their fifth SJ Group II State Championship in the last nine years. The Haddons captured the State’s first ever NJSIAA South/Central Group II Bowl Championship by defeating Hillside 17 to 7 at MetLife Stadium. The Bulldogs earned Team of the Year honors by the Courier Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, Brooks Irvine Memorial Football Club, and the AC Press.
In 2021, the Bulldogs captured their sixth state title since 2010. The Bulldogs finished the season with 10 wins and a Central Jersey Group II State Championship by defeating Rartitan 28 to 7. The Bulldogs completed the season by capturing their second Regional Bowl Championship with a 28 to 27 victory over Point Pleasant Boro at Rutgers University.
Coach DeLano and his staff have compiled 16 wins, which ranks as first all-time at Haddonfield High School. The Bulldogs have captured six state titles and two regional bowl championships under his direction. In 2008, 2009 and 2010, Coach DeLano was selected as Colonial Conference Liberty Division Coach of the Year. In 2009, Coach DeLano earned South Jersey Coach of the Year honors from the New Jersey Football Coaches Association. At the conclusion of the 2010 season, Coach DeLano and his staff received Coach of the Year honors by the Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Courier-Post. In addition, Coach DeLano and staff were selected by the New Jersey Football Coaches Association as the 2010 State Coach of the Year. In 2013, Coach DeLano and staff earned Coach of the Year honors from the Courier Post. In 2010 and 2014, Coach DeLano and his staff earned Coach of the Year honors by the Brooks Irvine Memorial Football Club. At the conclusion of the 2018 season, Coach DeLano was named the NJ.com Coach of the year, All USA State Coach of the Year, and Philadelphia Inquirer Coach of the Year. After the 2021 season, Coach DeLano was named the SJ Sports Zone Coach of the Year.
Since 1999, DeLano has served as the offensive coordinator and the quarterback’s coach. He also coached defensive backs for four seasons.
DeLano is a 1994 graduate of Gloucester Catholic and a 1998 graduate of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology. While at King’s, he was a four-year starter at quarterback. At the conclusion of his senior season, DeLano was selected to play in the “National All-Star Classic” in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2001, DeLano joined the Montgomery College coaching staff and returned to Cleveland where he coached wide receivers in the All Star Classic.
Coach DeLano served as a member of the Adam Taliaferro/South Jersey Football Coaches Association All Star Classic Executive Committee for eighteen years. He has coached in five South Jersey All Star games at Rowan University. As a member of the executive committee, Coach DeLano served as the general manager for the team consisting of schools from Camden, Gloucester, and Salem Counties.
In the spring of 2007, Coach DeLano was selected to be an assistant coach for the South in the annual North/South Classic which was played at Rutgers University.
Coach DeLano was selected to be an assistant coach in the 2010 New Jersey vs. the Northeast All Star Classic.
Coach DeLano also served on the Brooks Irvine Memorial Football Club Board of Governors for 15 years.
For the past thirteen years, Coach DeLano has served as a camp instructor at the prestigious Manning Passing Academy, which is held at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA.
In addition, Coach DeLano is a clinician for the Glazier Coaching Clinics, where he has spoken at various clinics throughout the country.
Coach DeLano teaches 6th grade math at Haddonfield Middle School. Coach DeLano and his wife, Karen, have two children, Lauren (16) and Matthew (11).
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