Joe Chirico

Bio

Chirico, Logan, WV. native, and former Marshall University defensive back of the '92 National Championship team, '91 and '93 National Runner-Up teams, is entering his 5th year as the head coach of the George Rogers Clark Cardinals. Chirico is the husband of Ashley Chirico, they have four children Sydney (29), Presley (25), Isabella (18), and Brayden (14). Chirico is entering year 3 as the Head Coach of the Cardinals. Prior to taking the helm at George Rogers Clark, Chirico spent eight seasons at Paintsville High School located in Paintsville, Kentucky. In the 2019 season, Chirico took the Tigers to their first state title in thirty-four years but fell short. In the 2020 season, Chirico and the Tigers returned to Kroger Field and delivered Paintsville High School their first, ever, state title in one hundred years. Chirico has spent 31 years in the promotional printing industry, most recently with Consolidated Graphic Communication.

In his eight year tenure, as the head coach of the Tigers, Chirico collected a record of 105 wins and 47 losses (.690), 5 district championships, 3 regional runner-ups, 3 regional championships, 1 state runner-up, and 1 state championship. Chirico has also coached 1 Kentucky Mr. Football, 2 Runner-ups, along with 30 collegiate athletes. Prior to his arrival at Paintsville High School, the Tigers had a record of 24-44. Chirico has been named the Kentucky Football Coaches Association - Class A Coach of the Year (2016), Courier Journal Class A Coach of the Year (2015), Kentucky Sports Radio Prep Coach of the Year (2015), District Coach of the Year (2013) and Ashland Daily Independent Coach of the Year (2013, 2015, 2016, 2020). Also, Chirico has had a 100% graduation rate throughout his eight years as a head coach.

In his second year as the head coach of the Cardinals, Chirico led the Cardinals to their best school start since 2008, 5-0. The Cardinals finished the season at 7-4, falling to Tates Creek High School in the first round of the KHSAA Class AAAAAA State Playoffs. In 2024, Chirico led the Cardinals to their first playoff win in over half a decade.

Notable Players Coached:
Hunter Gulley - Eastern Kentucky University
Hayden Heath - Eastern Kentucky University
Landon Marcum - University of Kentucky
Tyleik Maxwell - Eastern Kentucky University
Kareem Guerrant - Union Commonwealth University
Tate Spayd - West Virginia State University / Union Commonwealth University
Harris Phelps - Centre College
Zach Taylor - Morehead State University / Kentucky Wesleyan College (Baseball)
John Blackburn - Centre College
Karsten Poe - Centre College
Mason Lovely - Marshall University / Union Commonwealth University
Hunter Ousley - Union Commonwealth University (1st Team MaxPreps Small School All-American Offensive Linemen
Grant Ray - Union Commonwealth University
John Walker Phelps - Centre College
Dustin McKenzie - Union Commonwealth University
Jaylen Allen - Eastern Kentucky University
James Allen - Kentucky Christian University
Chris Allen - University of Cumberlands
Ryan Moore - Georgetown College
Christian Keeton - Centre College
Isaiah Sexton - University of Cumberlands
Tyrese Allen - West Virginia University (Kentucky Mr. Football 2018 Finalist)
Dalton Daniel - Georgetown College
Tyler Couch - University of Kentucky
Kent Phelps - Wofford College (Kentucky Mr. Football Finalist)
Darren Morris - University of Pikeville
Kash Daniel - University of Kentucky (Kentucky Mr. Football 2016, Army All-American, Kentucky Gatorade High School Player of the Year)
Tyler McCalister - University of Pikeville
Damion Belcher - Morehead State University
Donte Hendricks - Alabama State University
Prater Helton - University of Pikeville
Lane Daniels - Gifford College

Coached:
44 All-District Nominations
11 All-State Selections

Previous Seasons:
2024: 5-6 | Second Round | Pike County Bowl Champions | Clark County Hall of Fame Bowl Champions | George Rogers Clark High School |

2023: 4-7 | First Round | Pike County Bowl Champions | George Rogers Clark High School |

2022: 7-4 | First Round | George Rogers Clark High School

2021: 3-9 | First Round | George Rogers Clark High School

2020: 10-2 | State Champions | Paintsville High School

2019: 11-4 | State Runner-Up | Paintsville High School

2018: 10-3 | Regional Runner-Up | Paintsville High School

2017: 11-2 | Regional Runner-Up | Paintsville High School

2016: 13-1 | State Semi-Finalist | Paintsville High School

2015: 13-1 | State Semi-Finalist | Paintsville High School

2014: 10-2 | Regional Runner-Up | Paintsville High School

2013: 8-3 | District Runner-Up | Paintsville High School