Chaminade-Madonna Prep is known for having an elite high school football program in Florida.

It has the state championships and high-level talent to prove it.

It’s even based in a city called Hollywood, which only adds to the glitz.

But the Lions weren’t always King Football in the Sunshine State. The late Vince Zappone had a lot to do with what the program became.

A 1948 graduate of Greensburg High School, Zappone was a longtime coach and athletic director at the school. He died July 26 after a long illness.

He was 93.

Zappone, often referred to as “Coach,” is known for laying the groundwork for the powerhouse Lions, who have won seven state titles, including five in the last seven years.

He worked at the school for 35 years, leading the football team from 1965-77 while winning seven district championships.

The Chaminade stadium is named after Zappone, who played college football at Northeast Junior College (La.) and later, Tulane.

Those who knew Zappone believe he put in more to the school than he could ever get out.

“The number of lives he touched in a positive way are countless,” Mark Guandolo told the Miami Herald. Guandolo coached the Lions to state titles in 2003 and ’05.

“He was on the golf course in 1988 when he gave me my start, giving me my first head coaching job,” Guandolo said. “He changed my life that day as he did so many others. Over the years, there were attorneys, doctors, you name it, former players from all walks of life who became a success in life because of Vince, and that’s a testimony to the man that he was.”

Zappone returned to Northeast, which later became a university, and earned a bachelor’s degree before serving as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

He coached at Sam Houston and met his wife, Marge, in San Antonio. The couple were married for 56 years and parented four children.

Zappone also coached football, baseball and wrestling at three high schools in Michigan: St. James, Brighton and Fowlerville before earning a master’s degree at Michigan State.

And who could forget his time playing semi-professional football for the Youngwood Red Devils?

His nephew, Nicky Zappone, is a former Greensburg Central Catholic assistant football coach.

“In his later years, he was excited I was coaching and would call during the GCC seasons to check in,” Nick said. “He found it amusing we (GCC) played the 2009 PIAA championship game in a blizzard as compared to their weather down in Hollywood.”

Chaminade won five straight district titles from 1968-72 and made the state final in ’74, an achievement many say “started it all.”

David Shula, son of legendary Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, played on that team.

“Coach Zappone was a great leader who influenced so many of us in a positive way,” Shula, an assistant at Dartmouth, told the Herald. “He always found a way to motivate you and hold you accountable. He’ll be missed by all of us.”

Zappone, who had a record of 89-34-4, became AD at Chaminade in 1977 and also coached the boys golf and wrestling teams.

Chaminade athletic director Matt Bishop said to the Herald: “He was a fixture at football games, even through last year’s state championship season. I was fortunate enough to spend time on the sidelines at games with him, and you could tell that being there brought him great joy in knowing that he helped build a foundation of success within the football program.”

Zappone was preceded in death by his wife, Marge; his parents, Michael and Jennie Zappone; his sister, Genevieve Panigall, and brother, Nick Zappone. He is survived by his sisters: Mary Fry and Flora Mae (Joseph) D’Amato; brother, Michael (Mary) Zappone; children Michele (Mark) Moyel, Janet Zappone, Vincent N. Zappone, Jr. and Joseph (Rita) Zappone; grandchildren Joseph (Izzy Pines) Conway and Katie Conway.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)