Norwood High School football was preparing for a major transition in the spring of 1971, as longtime coach Art Gulla announced that he would be stepping away from the sidelines after nearly twenty years in the Mustangs’ program. Gulla, who had served as head coach for the past nine seasons, confirmed that his decision was based solely on personal considerations, not professional conflict.

“I was reappointed for next year, so that was no problem,” Gulla explained, emphasizing that his relationship with the school and the community remained strong. He described his years in Norwood football as “happy, rewarding, and challenging,” and made clear that the choice to resign had been a difficult one. “Being involved in football so long, it was a hard decision, but one that had to be made.”

Gulla’s tenure included both highs and lows, including a Bay State League co‑championship, a highlight he remembered with pride. His 1970 squad finished 3–6, but Gulla noted that every coach experiences cycles of success and rebuilding. Through it all, he said, his affection for the town never wavered. “I love Norwood and the people here, and I always will.”

Gulla’s connection to Norwood football stretched back far beyond his coaching years. A 1949 graduate of Norwood High, he had been regarded as one of the school’s finest running backs, playing under then‑coach Andy Scafati. After high school, he attended Georgetown University, graduating in 1953 before returning to his hometown to begin his coaching career.

He spent eight years as Scafati’s assistant before taking over the head coaching position in 1962. In doing so, he became only the third head football coach in Norwood High history, following Scafati and Bennett Murray — a testament to the program’s stability and the trust placed in its leaders.

Although stepping down from coaching, Gulla planned to remain at Norwood High as a physical education teacher, with no immediate plans to take on another sport. “I haven’t even thought about it,” he admitted, suggesting that the decision to leave football was still fresh.

With Gulla’s departure, the Bay State League’s coaching landscape shifted noticeably. Only three head coaches remained from the 1962 season: Dan Bennett of Natick, Bob Jachowicz of Framingham South, and Tom Brennan of Milton. Norwood, meanwhile, began the search for its next leader, with applications being accepted by Scafati — now the school’s athletic director — until June 21.

Gulla’s exit marked the end of an era for Norwood football. His influence stretched across generations of players, and his steady presence on the sidelines had become part of the town’s athletic identity. As Norwood prepared to turn the page, the community reflected on the legacy of a coach who had given decades of service to the sport and to the school that shaped him.

Gulla’s exit marked the end of an era for Norwood football. His influence stretched across generations of players, and his steady presence on the sidelines had become part of the town’s athletic identity. As Norwood prepared to turn the page, the community reflected on the legacy of a coach who had given decades of service to the sport and to the school that shaped him.

Source: The Patriot Ledger, May 28, 1971, Page 18. via Newspapers.com

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