Coach Mike Parodi, Riordan alumnus and former football coach, died on Jan. 26 at the age of 69.

Coach Parodi graduated from Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in 1963, followed by Archbishop Riordan High School in 1967. He began his football coaching career in the Fall of 1967 at Riordan,and later received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from San Francisco State University in 1971.

He was the Head Varsity Football Coach from 1974 – 1979 for the Riordan Crusaders, after which time he accepted an assistant position for the City College of San Francisco Rams football team.

Parodi coached linebackers for the first few years at City College, on the defensive side of the ball, then moved to coaching running backs for the bulk of his career for the CCSF Rams,approximately 35 years.

After a 41 year teaching career, Coach Parodi retired from Riordan in June 2013 and later from his part time teaching position at City College of San Francisco.

Due to illness, he retired his football career at the end of the 2014 season.

Fellow Riordan alumnus and former colleague Viggen Rassam ’87 recalled Coach Paradi with fond memories.

“Coach Parodi was a very humble person and he will sadly be missed,” he said.

The day of his funeral,which some faculty and students attended, was a sad day for the Crusader family, and certainly the end of an era.