Back in 2002 the Emmaus football program was on a downward slide. The Green Hornets had not recorded a winning season in 17 years, and they were searching for a new head coach that could revitalize the school, and bring football back to relevancy.

Joe Bottiglieri came calling, and his coaching experience paid dividends right from the start.

His second year in 2003, the Green Hornets finished with a 6-4 mark, their first winning season since 1986. And in 2004, Emmaus reached the District 11 playoffs for the first time with a 9-1 record, losing to eventual district champion Easton 14-7 at Cottingham stadium.

"It was exciting, and I was happy for that group of players," Bottiglieri said. "They worked hard, and many of those seniors had played varsity with me my first year in 2002. They were really striving to get to the playoffs and that was their main goal. It was a great experience for those players."

Emmaus was always known for great field hockey and soccer teams dominating during the fall season, but Bottiglieri wanted to add another successful program to the mix.

"We wanted to bring a mindset that the players needed to be committed to football," noted Bottiglieri. "They needed to work hard year round to be the best football players they could be. In turn, we would be the best team that we could be. I think the players bought into that mental toughness, and that they were going to play with a chip on their shoulder. We wanted to show people in the Lehigh Valley that Emmaus could be good at football as well as the other sports."

Before coming to Emmaus, Bottiglieri was an assistant coach at Lehigh under Kevin Higgins, and also at rival Lafayette. In 2001, he spent a season as the head man at Central Catholic.

"The one year I spent at Central was a great year because the players were committed, and even with a slow start, they kept plugging away and we won six in a row and just missed districts," Bottiglieri stated.

"Seeing the commitment of those players at Central showed my staff, which most came with me to Emmaus, the confidence to build the same type of mentality at Emmaus."

He won 70 games in 11 years at the helm at Emmaus, and each year led the Green Hornets into postseason discussion. His best season was in 2008 when Emmaus went 10-2 and lost to eventual district and State champion Liberty in the second round of districts.

"I enjoyed every season at Emmaus," added Bottiglieri. "I enjoyed working with the players, and the interaction with all of the people involved with the program for the eleven years I was there."