Hall of Fame
Cortese is one of the winningest coaches in the history of RMAC football. In 17 seasons, he had a record of 139-54-6, a winning percentage of better than 70 percent, and his team’s won eight RMAC championships (82, 83, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 93, 95). He was also named RMAC Coach of the Year seven times. In 1982 and 1983, Cortese led the Mavericks to the NAIA championship game. After leaving the RMAC, Cortese was a head coach in the Arena Football League for the Oklahoma Wranglers, and also spent time with the Portland Forest Dragons, Wichita Stealth and the Grand Rapids Rampage. Among the players who Cortese helped develop are NFL veterans Tony Martin and Oronde Gadsden. Cortese was inducted into the Mesa State Hall of Honor in 1997. He’s now a radio and TV personality in the Oklahoma City area, and remains active with several charities, including the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, Special Olympics, and the American Heart Association.