Ed Christian is a native of Wilkes-Barre, PA.  He is a graduate of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre and began his career as an English teacher and football coach at East Stroudsburg High School in 1967.  He has been at East Stroudsburg for the entirety of his professional career, beginning as an assistant football coach under Dick Merring and serving in that capacity for fourteen years.  During his time as an assistant, he coached all facets of the game on both side of the ball.

In 1981, Ed became the sixth head coach in the 63-year history of East Stroudsburg High School football.  After 26 years as head coach, his record stands at 91 wins, 104 losses, and three tines with 15 seasons of at least eight or more wins.  During his tenure as head coach, the Cavaliers won championships in the Centennial League in 1982, 1987, 1989 and 1990; Mountain Valley Conference in 1995, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006; District XI in 1985 (AA) and 1995 (AAAA); and Eastern Conference in 1995.  In 1995, his team went as far as the state quarterfinals, also known in Pennsylvania as the “Elite Eight,” before bowing to Plymouth-Whitemarsh in the Cavaliers’ third game in eight days. 

Ed was selected as an assistant coach for Pennsylvania’s 1997 Big 33 team, which played and defeated Ohio in what many consider the most exciting finish in Big 33 history.  In 2000, due to burgeoning enrollment in the East Stroudsburg Area School District, a second high school was built and Ed remained at the original high school, which was renamed East Stroudsburg South.  Although the split has resulted in the Cavaliers being one of the smallest AAAA schools in the state, Ed’s team’s winning tradition has continued, with South winning the last five league titles in a row.

Ed is most honored and humbled to accept induction into the PA State Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.  He extends a very special thank you to his wife, Peggy, his number one supporter, his son, Eddie, and his daughter, Patti. 

He is grateful to the outstanding assistant coaches, players and the fans that made his induction possible, as well as the Cavalier Football Parents Booster Club for their years of support to the program.  Ed is also very thankful for the opportunity to have taught, coached, and influenced so many fine young people and to have worked with a tremendous number of caring and generous individuals along the way.  “Pride in the Purple” has always paved the way to success and will always make the difference.