RICK GORZYNSKI

Football

Position: Coach
Born: January 30, 1945; Chicago, Illinois
Coached For: Hazelwood High School (1968-1973), Hazelwood East High School (1974-2001), Lindenwood University (2002-2005)

Rick Gorzynski’s journey through the world of football began in the heart of Chicago at Notre Dame High School where he honed his skills on the gridiron and baseball field. Little did anyone know that this young talent would go on to become a prominent figure in high school and collegiate football.

After high school, Rick played quarterback for the University of Illinois, and then for Northeast Missouri State (now Truman). After a record breaking career at Northeast, Rick was a 10th-round draft pick by the Boston Patriots, but instead accepted an offer from The Hamilton Tiger Cats in Canada.

In 1968, Rick moved on and became the offensive coordinator for the original Hazelwood High School. In 1972, Coach “Gorzo” was calling plays for the state co-champion Hawks.

In 1974, Hazelwood split into 3 high schools and Rick was named the head football coach at Hazelwood East, where his legendary coaching career began.

Coach Gorzo was considered a brilliant offensive mind by his peers, designing and running multiple offenses. Opponents found his teams difficult to prepare for or defend. His 27-year coaching record was 230-57-1. His Spartans won 12 Suburban North championships, and 12 Missouri District titles.

His 1979 team was 10-0, but didn’t qualify through the MSHSAA point system. That was the same time that the Spartans had an amazing 29-game winning streak. But the best was yet to come!

The Hazelwood East Spartans won state championships in 1989 and 1995. Coach sent more than 100 kids to college, 19 of whom signed NFL contracts.

Some of the honors Rick received are: The Sporting News National Coach of the Year, Missouri Athletic Directors Distinguished Service Award, and The National Football Foundation’s Jimmy Conzelman Award. He has been inducted into the halls of fame at Notre Dame High School, Truman Univeristy, and The St. Louis Metro Football Coaches Association. Hazelwood East’s football field is now called “Gorzynski Field.”

After retiring from Hazelwood East, Rick became the head football coach at Lindenwood University for three years before becoming the school’s athletic academic coordinator.

Several of Rick’s three-decade players who went on to successful careers, recalled their former coach:

• 1978 grad, Varon Johnson, played RB for Arkansas State, then became the Operational Manager at Mid-American Water. When asked about Coach Gorzynski he said, “We worked hard, but the players loved Coach Gorzo.”
• 1984 grad Alan Key became the head of the homicide unit for the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office. He recals: “Coach could correct you in a way that taught you the sport, but in a fun way.”
• 1996 grad Michael Young, who went to University of Illinois and then became a linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals and a scout for the L.A. Rams, said of Coach Gorzo’s induction into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame, “It’s a great honor and long overdue.”

Rick says the HOF award wouldn’t be possible without his outstanding assistant coaches at Hazelwood East and the many supportive families and special athletes he was blessed to coach over the years.

And he gives special thanks his family and especially wife Susan and son Matt.