WCU Grad and Former Henderson Football Coach Joe Walsh Passes Away

Legendary high school football head coach, Joe Walsh (1950-2026), passed away this week at the age of 76 after a long illness. He was a 1972 graduate of West Chester University and an offensive lineman on two PSAC Championship squads (1969, 1971). He returned to his alma mater to help coach the defensive line under former head coach, Bill Zwaan, Sr., from 2013 to 2020 after retiring from high school coaching.
 
A Health & Physical Education teacher in the West Chester School District for 35 years, before retiring in 2008, Walsh served as head coach at Henderson High School from 1992-2011 where he compiled a record of 148-117. He led the Warriors to three Ches-Mont League championships and a District 1 runner-up finish in 2007. Walsh was named Ches-Mont League coach of the year on three occasions and Chester County Area coach of the year four times.
 
Before his stint at Henderson High School, Walsh served as the head coach at Sun Valley High School where he won the Delaware Valley Championship in 1990. He was inducted into four different hall of fames: West Chester University's Killinger Foundation Football Hall of Fame (2001), Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2014), Ches-Mont League Hall of Fame (2018) and the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame (2025).
 

Joe was predeceased by his parents William J. Walsh, Jr. and Virginia Haman Walsh. He is survived by his loving wife Pam, his children Joseph (Nichole Smith). Kelly Moy (Robert), and Jennifer Rowe (Todd), and his grandchildren Emily (David), Seamus, Carter, Callie, Robby, Campbell, and Rose, and great-granddaughter Austin. He is also survived by his brother Russell (Cynthia Mershon), and sisters Ruth Ann Molnar, The Reverand Eileen P. Walsh (Susan Pederson) and sisters-in-law Patty Biffen, Penny Brinton (Mike), as well as many nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to come together to celebrate Joe's life.  Visiting hours will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, February 5 and 9:00 to 10:15 AM on Friday, February 6. Funeral service will follow at 10:30 AM, all at DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 410 Church St., West Chester, PA 19380.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Joe Walsh Scholarship Fund, Attn: Henderson Athletics, 400 Montgomery Ave. West Chester, PA 19380.