| No. 25 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Quarterback |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1927-03-19)March 19, 1927 New Kensington, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | September 10, 2016(2016-09-10) (aged 89) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Career information | |
| College | University of Dayton |
| CFL draft | : Los Angelesth overall pick |
| Career history | |
Playing | |
| 1952–1954 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 1955 | Montreal Alouettes |
Coaching | |
| 1958–1967 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers (assistant) |
| 1967–1969 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers (head) |
| 1970–1971 | Edmonton Eskimos (assistant) |
Joseph John Zaleski (March 19, 1927 – September 10, 2016) was aCanadian football player and coach.
Zaleski was born inNew Kensington, Pennsylvania in 1927 and attendedWarren Consolidated High School in Tiltonsville, Ohio.[1][2] After graduating from high school, he enlisted in theUnited States Marine Corps and was stationed atMarine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.[2][3] While in the Marine Corps, he deployed toOkinawa in the aftermath ofWorld War II.[2] After leaving the Marine Corps, he attended theUniversity of Dayton from 1947 to 1951, where he played on the football team as the startingquarterback for two years.[4] As a senior, he was votedmost valuable player in 1950.[5] He graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in education.[2]
After signing with theLos Angeles Rams one season, without appearing in a game, Zaleski signed with theWinnipeg Blue Bombers of theWestern Interprovincial Football Union in 1952. He played there for two years as the backup quarterback and a defensive back, where he was regarded for his ball handling abilities. In 1955, he then signed with theMontreal Alouettes, where he played for one season as reserve quarterback. The following year, in May 1956, Zaleski moved to theOntario Rugby Football Union where he was a player-coach for the Sarnia Golden Bears, remaining there for two years, leaving in 1957.[6]
In 1958, Zaleski was hired as an assistant coach for his former team, the Blue Bombers,[7] winning the Grey Cup in1959,1961 and1962. He remained in this position with Winnipeg until 1967 when he was named the team's head coach, replacingBud Grant. As head coach, he compiled a record of 10–37–1 over three seasons and was eventually fired on November 20, 1969.[8] In 1970, he was hired as an assistant coach for theEdmonton Eskimos, a position he retained for two seasons, with him being fired along with another assistant,Al Benecick, on January 3, 1972.[8][9]
He married Louise Ann Savanyo ofTiltonsville, Ohio, around 1952 with whom he had five children, including a son,Slater, who played in the CFL. She died in Edmonton on November 8, 2013.[10] Zaleski died on September 10, 2016, aged 89.[11][2]