ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — St. John’s University football coach John Gagliardi is winning praise in retirement from the White House.

President Barack Obama’s press secretary recognized Gagliardi’s storied tenure Monday, just hours after word of the retirement became public.

Gagliardi has spent 64 years as a college coach, most of them at St. John’s in central Minnesota. He has the most wins — 486 in all — of any college coach.

The written statement from the White House marvels at Gagliardi’s unconventional style. It says the scholar athletes under his tutelage will embody his influence for years to come.

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