Joe Fusco, a 2001 College Football Hall of Fame inductee who coached Westminster (PA) to four national titles, passed away Feb. 22. He was 87.

"Coach Joe Fusco was a true legend in the game of college football," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "His impact at Westminster went far beyond the wins and his four national titles. He was a mentor, a leader, and a man who shaped countless lives. His legacy will always be remembered, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire Westminster community during this difficult time."

One of the most successful coaches in NAIA history, Fusco had a lifetime association with Westminster. He was an All-West Penn Conference (WPC) offensive guard on the football team from 1957-59, assistant coach from 1968-71, head coach from 1972-1990, and director of athletics from 1985-99.
 
During his 19 years as the head coach from 1972-1990, Westminster went 154-34-3, giving him a winning percentage of .814. His teams won four NAIA Division II national championships, winning back-to-back national titles in 1976 and '77 and then again in 1988 and '89. The program went a combined 21-1 between the 1976 and '77 seasons and had the nation's longest winning streak with 27-consecutive victories between the 1988 and '89 seasons. His team made 15 appearances in the NAIA top 20 and earned nine NAIA playoffs berths. His 1977 team, which went 11-0, won the Lambert Award as the best small-college team in the East.
 
His other coaching duties were at Wilmington and Grove City, PA high schools, where he had a 55-14-3 record from 1960-1967.
 
He graduated from Westminster in 1960, added a master's degree in education in 1965 and a doctorate in education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1980.
 
In addition to the College Football Hall of Fame, Fusco is in the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, Western Pennsylvania Hall of Fame, Lawrence County Hall of Fame, and NAIA Hall of Fame. He was recognized as one of ESPN's 150 greatest coaches in college football's 150-year history in 2019 in honor of the 150th season of college football.

A native of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, he was born Feb. 3, 1938.

Details on memorial services are pending and will be released when they become available.