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Coaches' countdown: Delaware's great athletes, teams needed leaders and here are the best

kevin tresolini, delaware news journal
·2 min read

The most accomplished athletes in Delaware and the many stellar teams on which they competed often relied on astute leaders.

Whether they were identifying the best players, teaching the proper techniques, making insightful in-game decisions or providing decisive direction and motivation, these coaches got the most out of their athletes and teams and steered them to success.

Delaware Online/The News Journal has compiled a list ranking Delaware's most distinguished coaches.

There were hundreds of worthy candidates. What began as a list of 125 was expanded by one after an especially deserving leader was initially overlooked.

Here they all are, divided into five groups:

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🔒 Counting down Delaware's top coaches. Here are 125 to 101

Ursuline lacrosse coach Feffie Barnhill talks to her team after a game.
Ursuline lacrosse coach Feffie Barnhill talks to her team after a game.

Even the last segment of our list features several coaches who have been admitted to their sport's hall of fame.

COACHES COUNTDOWN: Delaware's top coaches through the years. Here's 125 to 101

🔒 Counting down Delaware's top coaches. Here are 100 to 76

St. Andrew's head coach Bob Colburn talks with his players before the start of a game at St. Andrew's School in Middletown.
St. Andrew's head coach Bob Colburn talks with his players before the start of a game at St. Andrew's School in Middletown.

A slew of state championships were accrued by this segment of coaches.

COACHES COUNTDOWN: Delaware's top coaches through the years. Here's 100 to 76

🔒 Counting down Delaware's top coaches. Here are 75 to 51

The middle portion of our list features a coach whose standout teams included a U.S. president.

COACHES COUNTDOWN: Delaware's top coaches through the years. Here's 75 to 51

🔒 Counting down Delaware's top coaches. Here are 50 to 26

Sussex Central head coach John Wells joins most of his team by wearing a pinstripe ribbon to show support for pitcher Madge Layfield, whose mother is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Sussex Central head coach John Wells joins most of his team by wearing a pinstripe ribbon to show support for pitcher Madge Layfield, whose mother is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Several of the coaches here will be leading their teams in the upcoming 2023-24 school year, including against each other.

COACHES COUNTDOWN: Delaware's top coaches through the years. Here's 50 to 26

🔒 Counting down Delaware's top coaches. Here are 25 to 1

Roe Bianchini coached William Penn to field hockey and softball state titles.
Roe Bianchini coached William Penn to field hockey and softball state titles.

Who is number one? Nobody should be surprised when our top choice is revealed, but he certainly is in good company.

COACHES COUNTDOWN: Delaware's top 25 coaches through the years.

Have an idea for a compelling local sports story or is there an issue that needs public scrutiny? Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: The greatest coaches in the history of Delaware sports are ranked