How A High School Coach Shaped NFL Legend Bo Orlando's Playing and Coaching Career

After 10 years as an NFL defensive back, Bo Orlando is back home in Berwick, Pennsylvania as the athletic director and assistant football coach for the Berwick Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs won USA TODAY’s unofficial national championship in 1983, 1992 and 1995, and Orlando started at quarterback and defensive back on the ‘83 national championship team.

Orlando was selected in the sixth round, 157th overall, in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. During his career with the Oilers (1989-1994), San Diego Chargers (1995), Cincinnati Bengals (1996-1997) and Pittsburgh Steelers (1998), Orlando recorded 10 interceptions, returning one for a score. He finished with 301 tackles, including 168 solo tackles.

At Berwick, Orlando played for the legendary George Curry, who won 455 games as a high school football head coach. Orlando credits Curry with his success on and off the field. He especially appreciates the fact that Coach Curry helped thousands of student-athletes understand the meaning of being a good husband, father and community leader.

Below, you can listen to Orlando talk with High School Football America’s Jeff Fisher about lessons learned from his high school coach.

Photo: AP/Allen Kee