Holy Cross Athletics

Denny Gildea was one of the greatest centers in Holy Cross football history.

He was born in Peabody and came to Holy Cross in 1918. He was the mainstay of one of the greatest lines in Holy Cross history. Coach Frank Cavanaugh ranked him as one of the best blockers he ever saw, and he was equally intimidating on defense.

After graduation, he coached at Fitchburg and Leominster High Schools before he followed his Holy Cross coach Frank Cavanaugh as coach of Everett High School. Gildea coached Everett High for 29 years and accumulated a record of 163 wins, 72 losses and 29 ties.  He was also inducted into the Massachusetts Football Coaches Hall of Fame.