NOTE: This is the first in a three-part series featuring The Riverside Hall of Fame’s first class, all coaches. The inductees will be honored at the First Annual Hall of Fame banquet at Shakespeare’s Restaurant this Saturday, May 4th, from 6 to 10 p.m. Attendees will celebrate the esteemed inagural class of: Dan Oliastro, Karl Florie, and Royann Winfield.
Karl Florie, wasn’t the school board’s first choice to coach Riverside’s football program, but it came to pass that he was he was the right choice.
Although his first season produced zero wins, he went on to build a program that became a powerhouse in Western Pennsylvania. In his last 9 years as head coach he went 72-27, with 5 consecutive playoff appearances, 2 MAC championships, and won the 1985 WPIAL championship.
“After a very slow start, once we got it going we had a very powerful football team,” Florie said.
And although Florie has been retired since 1989, he said he is still the coach of the team known as his family. He lives in Koppel and enjoys spending time with his wife, Gloria, his three daughters and his son, and his seven grandchildren.
“They are the most important thing to me,” he said. “The team that is closest to me.”
Florie spent much of his retirement time watching his grandchildren grow up and play sports. His oldest grandchild is 30 and youngest 19. He enjoyed continuing to be emersed in sports and keeping up with what was going on at Ellwood City, Riverside, and Blackhawk.
“They are very good athletes. They’ve kept me busy the last 20 years.”
Sports in general has been an important part of Florie’s life. He said he is also a Steelers and Pirates fan, but his true love is watching high school sports.
Florie attended Clarion University from 1957 to 61 and then he got his Master’s Degree at Westminster before becoming a teacher.
There have been many memorable moments during his years as a coach.
“Don’t have a favorite but I have tons of great memories. Starting at Northwestern, which is Blackhawk today then at Beaver Falls and then at Riverside. When I left Northwestern I had the opportunity at Beaver Falls to coach with Larry Bruno and it was probably the most important six years of assistant coaching to prepare me for coaching at Riverside.”
He said that coaching was a great challenge … one that he loved.
“It took us a while, but once we starting winning we went on to the playoffs five years in a row, won a conference championship, and in 1984 went to the WPIAL championship and lost to Beaver Falls, but came back the next year to win.”
During the 1984 WPIAL game, Florie was coaching against Beaver Falls coach and his best friend Bob Blythe. In fact, Florie was his best man and Blythe baptized Florie’s daughter. So, he said that game was a memorable one. He said there wasn’t one year in particular that stood out in his career, however.
“Every year was a highlight year because every year was a different challenge.”
And although winning was a bonus, Florie believes relationship building was the best part of all of it.
“Dealing with young people what you want to do is try to be an influence on their lives by showing them you care while using firm discipline and guidance.”
Florie said he hopes his former team members would describe him as firm but fair.
“I would hope they would think that I did hold them in the greatest interest. They were like my family. We built that.”
Florie said he is honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“I am looking forward to the dinner and breaking bread with the community. I can’t wait to reminisce. The community was very important to me and still is.”
Wonderful man! God bless you Coach! ❤️🤩