John Faller

John Faller played football for the University at Buffalo and in 1970 led the Bulls in rushing with 500 yards. In addition, he led the squad in scoring in both 1969 and 1970. He continued playing football for six seasons after graduating from UB, as a running back for the Twin City Geminis semi-pro team.

Although Faller was a native of Rochester, NY, it was not until he moved to the Buffalo-Niagara region that he found his “home, Sweet Home.”

After two years of service in the United States Army, Faller was hired as a physical education teacher at Sweet Home High School, and he quickly become involved in the school’s athletic programs. He coached the modified, freshmen and JV football teams from 1974-85, before taking over as the varsity coach in 1986.

In his 31 seasons at the helm, Faller’s football teams racked up a record of 217-84-1, which ranks him fourth in all-time Western New York victories. His teams captured 16 division titles, eight Section VI championships, and two New York State championships (2008, 2009).  From 2008-12, Faller’s teams lost only three times, and from 2007-12 the Panthers won 69 consecutive games against Section VI opponents and earned six straight section titles.

Faller’s coaching success was not limited to the gridiron – he also started the Sweet Home lacrosse program in 1976 and coached the squad until he retired after the 2017 season.  He led the Panthers to six Section VI titles and ranks second all-time in Section VI lacrosse coaching wins with 373. In addition to his coaching duties, he also served as the Section VI boy’s lacrosse chairman from 1980-2014.

Faller retired from teaching in 2015 after 41 years; retired from football after the 2016 season; and retired as lacrosse coach after the 2017 spring season.