Nick Restifo Death – Saint Ignatius High School beloved Spanish teacher and longtime football coach Nick Restifo has sadly passed away. He was announced dead by Saint Ignatius High School in a statement made on social media that says:
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Mr. Nick Restifo, Hon. ’19. A beloved Spanish teacher and longtime football coach, Nick’s impact on our community, both in the classroom and on the field, will be remembered forever.”
Who was Nick Restifo?
Nick Restifo Hon. ’19 arrived at Saint Ignatius High School in the fall of 1981 to begin his new position as a Spanish teacher, but he was offered his “second job” shortly after. Chuck Kyle ’69, the recently appointed head football coach, offered him the position of offensive coordinator and assistant coach in 1983.
For almost 40 years, Restifo has performed this duty with expertise and enthusiasm, helping to bring home three national titles and 11 state championships while fostering enduring bonds with both teammates and teammates. Despite his retirement from coaching, Restifo still teaches Spanish.
About Nick Restifo
Nick Restifo was raised on the southeast side of Cleveland in the 1950s. He quickly developed a liking for football, but since his parish school didn’t have a team, he played with friends in his backyard. Like his father before him, he played for Cleveland’s dominant squad while attending Cathedral Latin High School.
He studied in Spanish and played football for John Carroll University for all four years. He was employed to teach and coach at St. Joseph High School (now Villa Angela-St. Joseph) after graduating in 1974. There, he “learned a lot of football” and is still appreciative of the wonderful coaches who guided him, such as Bill Gutbrod at St. Joe’s and Joe Perella at Cathedral Latin.
His friend Chuck Kyle was teaching and coaching at Saint Ignatius when Restifo was hired to teach there in 1981. At Saint Ignatius High School, Nick was appointed as the school’s first and only offensive coordinator. Kyle and Restifo would work together to transform Saint Ignatius football.