Paul Restivo, a coaching legend who shaped generations of young athletes across Southern Illinois, died September 10 in Franklin, Tennessee. He was 91.
Restivo was born in Freeman Spur, Illinois, a small coal mining town, to Italian immigrant parents Mary and Sam Restivo. He was the youngest of three children and grew up with modest means but a deep commitment to family and community, values that would define his life’s work.
From Player to Coaching Icon
A standout multi sport athlete at Herrin High School, Restivo earned a football scholarship to Memphis State. After an injury cut short his time there, he transferred to Southern Illinois University, where he played for two years and completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
His coaching career began at age 23 at DuQuoin, where his very first practice attracted only four players since local boys could earn better money working the DuQuoin State Fair. Rather than fight the tradition, Restivo worked out an arrangement with fair organizers so his athletes could do both. That early lesson in cooperation became a hallmark of his approach.
He later rebuilt the football program at Lawrenceville High School, guiding the team nicknamed “Restivo’s Runts” to a 33 win season stretch, before returning to Herrin in 1969 to coach his hometown Tigers. What followed was a remarkable turnaround, including a 27 game winning streak, two undefeated seasons and multiple conference titles.
A Builder of Community as Much as Teams
Restivo’s impact went far beyond wins. He founded a Mothers Club, organized a Booster Club and Pop Warner touch football leagues, and hosted a weekly Quarterback Club breakfast where local business owners rallied behind the team. His fundraising efforts helped build a press box at Palmer Field and cemented Herrin football as a community institution.
Over his career he earned numerous Coach of the Year honors and was inducted into multiple halls of fame, including the Illinois Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Herrin High School Hall of Fame. He also served 18 years as Herrin’s athletic director, taught history and driver’s education, and was named grand marshal of Herrin Fest in 2012.
Those who knew him say Restivo treated everyone with the same warmth, whether they were longtime friends or strangers. His simple farewell, “Be careful,” became known among family as his way of saying he loved them.
Restivo is survived by his wife of nearly seven decades, Dixie, along with five children, twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held November 28 at the Herrin Elks Lodge. Memorial donations may be made to the Herrin Tiger Football Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.
