Remembering Gleason Bulldogs Coach Dilday

Back in 1976, some folks from Gleason High School approached a local farmer, riding a tractor on his field. After a few minutes’ discussion, the farmer climbed off the tractor to become Gleason High School’s football coach.

Bob Dilday served as the Bulldogs’ head coach for the next 12 years, retiring after guiding Gleason to the playoffs in 1987.

Dilday passed away Tuesday at the age of 96. Dilday’s wife, Margaret, died 10 days earlier.

Dilday was one of those coaches who may not have had all the talent or the best records, but opponents always got Gleason’s best.

Dilday was a colorful, outspoken character who had a wry sense of humor. Dilday taught his physical education students how to box and occasionally, sumo wrestling.

In 1981, Dilday’s Bulldogs were 8-3 but suffered a 42-14 setback to McKenzie in the District 14A championship. The loss kept Gleason out of the playoffs. In those days, only district champions advanced to the post-season. Gleason did play at Waverly in a bowl game that year but suffered a 27-12 loss to the Tigers.

Gleason did bounce back to claim the district championship a year later.

The Bulldogs were Reelfoot Conference champions in 1985, finishing 9-1. Gleason didn’t participate in the playoff system that year, opting to participate in the Reelfoot Conference, but did defeat Adamsville 22-0 during the regular season. Adamsville reached the Class A state semifinals that year.

Dilday guided Gleason to the playoffs in 1987, his final campaign as the Bulldogs’ coach. They made the long trip to Halls, who had a very athletic and physical team, and fell 48-8.

At the conclusion of the 1987-88 school year, he moved back to Michigan so that his ailing son could receive specific care. He was inducted into the Utica (Mich.) High School hall of fame. He coached football, baseball and wrestling at Utica and his baseball team captured the 1968 Michigan state baseball championship. Dilday was inducted into the Macomb County Hall of Fame.

Dilday had a few all-state players during his Gleason tenure. Wendell Verdell, David Dunning, Rusty Robinson, Jere Glenn, Mike Freeman, Clayton Page and Roy Lowrance all earned Associated Press all-state recognition.