Villanova grid coach Talley got his start in Simsbury

Villanova head coach Andy Talley (Photo courtesy Villanova University)

Villanova head coach Andy Talley, 72, got his first football coaching job in Simsbury when he spent two years on the Simsbury High staff as an assistant to Roland Morrison in 1967 and 1968. The Trojans were 7-1 in 1967 and 8-1 in 1968, winning a Northwest Conference championship.

Talley has spent the last 30 years as the head coach at Villanova and a FCS national championship in 2009. The Wildcats have earned 11 consecutive playoff berths. Hartford Courant writer Desmond Conner talked with the long-time coach before Thursday night’s season opening game against Connecticut at Rentschler Field.