John Wolfgram, one of Maine’s most celebrated high school football coaches, passed away on Tuesday morning, August 5, 2025, at the age of 77.
His passing comes after a life spent coaching and mentoring countless young athletes.
John Wolfgram is survived by his wife, Adin, and kids, Beth, Brett, and Josh Wolfgram.
Likewise, he also leaves behind his six grandchildren and extended family.
The respected high school coach, Wolfgram, and his wife, Adin, were married for over half a century, i.e., 58 years to be precise.
Wolfgram and Adin were high school sweethearts in Marblehead, Massachusetts. They got married while John was playing football and studying at the University of Maine.
His son, Brett Wolfgram, broke the silence, expressing the gratitude on behalf of the entire family for the overwhelming support. He wrote:
Thank you all for your warm condolences.
Brett Wolfgram
Apart from coaching, he was also a teacher after the family moved to South Portland.
He even taught his daughter, Beth Wolfgram, as a history teacher at Gardiner High. Beth described his teaching as:
He was the type of teacher you wanted to work hard for because you wanted to be respected by him. He always made things fun and engaging and timely.
Beth Wolfgram
One thing people may not know is he had a really good sense of humor. He was funny. He liked to tell jokes. He had a lot of puns.
He was serious and an amazing competitor and wanted to always be prepared but he wanted it to be fun and he instilled that with his practices and traditions he did with his teams.
John Wolfgram’s coaching career spanned over four decades, during which he won 10 state championships and coached at four different schools: Madison, Gardiner, South Portland, and Cheverus.
His impressive record of 309 wins, 92 losses, and one tie made him the winningest football coach in Maine history.
Not many know, but his first job wasn’t in football but coaching Orono High baseball in 1959 while he was a senior at the University of Maine.
Wolfgram coached at Madison High School, where he led the team to a Class C championship in 1974.
He then moved on to Gardiner Area High School, where he led the team to three Class B titles in 1979, 1981, and 1985.
His time at South Portland High School saw him gain several achievements, including four Class A championships in 1992, 1995, 1996, and 1999.
During his time at South Portland, Wolfgram set a state record with 31 consecutive wins and later broke this record with a 34-game win streak at Cheverus.
In 2006, Wolfgram took on the head coach role at Cheverus High School in Portland.
He led the team to two Class A championships in 2010 and 2011, with a 34-game winning streak, breaking the previous record he set at South Portland.
Even after retiring in April 2016, Wolfgram remained active in coaching. He returned to Cheverrus as a defensive coordinator in 2017, helping the team win the 2021 8-Man Large state championship.
Likewise, Wolfgram was also an English teacher and wrote a book on coaching philosophy, “Coaching to the Highest Level,” sharing his vast knowledge and experience with the next generation of coaches.
“He had success everywhere he went. Public or private, urban or rural, over four decades. In all settings his approach resonated,” said Mike Vance, who played for Wolfgram at South Portland in the 1980s.
So far, details surrounding his funeral services have yet to be published by his family.
During this difficult time, we pray for the strength of John Wolfgram’s wife, kids, and extended family.
Rest Easy, Coach John Wolfgram!
