By Hudson Avery

After being the head coach of the varsity football team at Collegiate for 16 years, Upper School Dean of Students Mark Palyo has decided that now is the time to officially step down from the position. Palyo has had a tremendous impact on the Collegiate community, and so many will miss seeing him on Grover Jones Field, never forgetting his years of contributions to the Cougar family.

Football has always been a part of Palyo’s life. He grew up in Lincoln Borough, a rural community about 25 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, and attended South Allegheny High School with a graduating class of 157 students, similar to the size of Collegiate. The first time he remembers football captivating him was when he was in the seventh grade. He was told he was too big to play in the youth league because they had size limits, so his football journey began at a public junior high school. Palyo recalls always wanting to play pro football; it was something he always talked about and dreamt of. 

As a Western Pennsylvanian, he watched every Steelers game. The Steelers’ success inspired him, and he knew how much it meant to the state of Pennsylvania and especially to his hometown and the area he grew up in. He played at the junior high level until reaching ninth grade, where he played JV football. After hard work and dedication, he earned a spot on the varsity team his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, at offensive tackle and all of the defensive line positions, most often as defensive end. As early as his sophomore year, he was already receiving letters from college football coaches across the country. 

Palyo (#78) as part of the University of Richmond offensive line in 1984. Starting center Danny Worrell is behind him. Photo courtesy of Mark Palyo.

He was fortunate enough to be recruited, which he describes as then being “very very different than it is now.” He pointed out that, “They didn’t have all the new technology advancements we have today, so everything was done through ‘snail mail.’ There was no email, no internet, and no social media. I had no twitter account! Instead, athletes were mailed questionnaires.” Palyo recalls that he filled out roughly 110 questionnaires during his senior year: “I filled out every one, it didn’t matter what school it was. I filled it out.” He focused on his dream and the opportunity to take his skill to the next level and reach his goal of playing college football. By his senior year, he was receiving phone calls from many college coaches and had several offers to choose from. Ultimately, he chose the University of Richmond. 

Choosing a college is often a hard decision for students, but it wasn’t so much for Palyo. He states, “It was a gut feeling.” His final two choices were Rutgers University in New Jersey and Richmond, two very different schools. It was the Sunday evening before national signing day, and the recruiting coaches from Rutgers were sitting in his house. The coaches wanted to have a decision that night. Palyo said to the coach, “‘Coach, can you all just leave for fifteen minutes and then come back?” They did, and when they returned, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity but decided to turn them down and chose Richmond. 

1984 promotional poster for U. of R. Spider football. Palyo is third from left, next to head coach Dal Shealy (center). Photo courtesy of Mark Palyo.

Palyo was a four-year starter at blind-side tackle for the Spiders. He went on to sign a free agent contract for the NFL’s Los Angeles (now Las Vegas) Raiders for a portion of the pre-season and was later released. In the fall of 1985, he came back to Richmond and started working at a local restaurant, but shortly after he was given the opportunity to coach at Collegiate with then head varsity football coach Jim Hickey. He started as the varsity line football coach, as well as the wrestling coach in the winter, and a track and field coach in the spring. Palyo also helped in many other openings when needed at school, and his career took off. This was the beginning of decades of leadership and making a difference for hundreds of students and athletes at Collegiate School. 

Palyo being interviewed by WTVR in 2021. Photo credit: Sean Robertson via WTVR.

During my interview with Palyo, he discussed what football meant to him as a player and as a coach. He said that his “immediate thoughts go to playing at the University of Richmond.” He craved being on the field all the time. He was a starter, and he wanted to help elevate the team to be successful. Palyo said, “as a player, there is this being physically and mentally ready component, and that was something that was really important to me. We had film study and all those other things, and that’s how you had to be prepared for those opponents.” This is what he instills in his players today. Palyo said it is important to know what opponents are doing and to have the team as mentally prepared as possible. In years past, he also enjoyed scouting with the other coaches and watching opponents play in person. “Watching opponents play in person gives you a different perspective than what you can see on film.” He learned a great deal from previous head coach Charlie McFall and appreciated his style and demeanor. In fact, in the past 63 years Collegiate has only had four varsity football coaches: Grover Jones (1960-1982), Hickey (1983-1985), McFall (1986-2006) and Palyo (2007-2022).

Palyo in his early days at Collegiate. PE teachers Willie Mulligan and Bill Chambers are in the background. Photo courtesy of Mark Palyo.

Palyo took his coaching job very seriously. Former player Reilly Klein (‘13), a varsity co-captain and lineman, said that although Palyo could be “an imposing figure, he wasn’t one to scream and yell. He commanded respect and discipline with his signature soft spoken way of getting in your business. His office couch was a favorite spot of mine.”

In Palyo’s second and third years as head coach in 2008 and 2009, with Jake McGee (‘09) as his quarterback, he took the team to state championship victories. In 2016, he again took the Cougars all the way to win another state championship.

One of Palyo’s challenges as a coach came with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, “The season that didn’t happen,” and that year’s football team was “the team that never got to play.” That COVID-19 season was rough, but Palyo made the best of it and had the team come together as a family and work for each other and develop skills for the following year. Keeping a positive mindset was what he has always taught his players. 

Many other players from years past appreciate Palyo’s influence. Lineman and co-captain Matthew Gelozin (‘17) said, “We won a state championship in 2016 largely because of him. He always knew how to get the best out of us, whether it was knowing when to get after us for slacking, or teaching us lifelong lessons. He preached teamwork and hard work.” He was an “extremely kind coach.” Klein also stated that Palyo “wasn’t just a football coach. Though I may not have realized it at the time, Coach Palyo was a mentor, a sounding board, and a friend.”

Gelozin (second from right) and other varsity captains with Palyo after the 2016 state championship victory. Photo courtesy of Collegiate School.

Hank Shield (‘23), a member of this year’s varsity team, said, “Coach Palyo helped influence me to make better decisions and look at challenging situations in a new light.”

While remembering my own personal experiences with Palyo, I can’t help but to think that he also taught and coached my father, Hunter Avery (’91), almost 35 years ago, and I have had the same experience as he did in his football career. My father said that through the game of football, Palyo taught him the fundamentals of life: “Hard work, dedication and commitment were the keys to success both on and off the field.” This is exactly what I have learned and hope to emulate. I will always remember and take with me the lessons I have learned from my time in the four years in the football program with Palyo.

The time has come, and Palyo is ready to pass the torch. On Dec. 6, Collegiate announced that long-time assistant coach and defensive coordinator (and fellow Richmond Spider football alum) Collin McConaghy will be taking on the role of varsity head football coach. 

When asked why he was leaving as head coach and retiring from football, Palyo said, “It was bittersweet. I made this decision for me personally.” Fortunately for his players and students, he will still be present in our daily lives as the Dean of Students in the Upper School. 

Varsity player Hayden Rollison (‘23) said, “Whether on the field or at school, I can always count on him to talk about everyday things.” Fortunately for all of us, he will continue to be our mentor. His presence will be missed on the football field, but regardless, he will always be with us.