So he got the teaching job and took over a Haddonfield program that was 5-24 in its first two years. Right out of college as a 21-year-old coach, Falana built the Bulldogs into an immediate winner, and things haven't changed in more than three decades.
Now in his 37th season as head coach, Falana took a 596-131-54 record into the weekend, on the verge of joining Shawnee's Brian Gibney in the 600-win soccer club.
Falana has guided Haddonfield to seven state titles, 14 South Jersey championships, 23 Colonial Conference crowns, and one South Jersey Soccer Coaches Tournament title.
Who knows what would have occurred had he not been certified in social studies?
"I was young and really wanted both jobs," he said.
When he began his first season in 1975, he was only three years older than some of his players.
"What I appreciate is that I had great kids who never questioned my authority even though I was 21 and some of them were 18," Falana said.
Maybe they didn't question him because they were too tired. In his early days, Falana put the team through triple session workouts, where the only goal for the players was simple survival.
"Those workouts bonded the team," said Mark Schlitt, a pediatrician, who was a sophomore in 1975 and whose son Rob is a member of the current Haddonfield team.
Then, laughing, he added, "As much as we loved him, we didn't during triple sessions."
Falana has displayed many strengths as a coach.
Haddonfield has always been strong on set pieces, something on which the Bulldogs work tirelessly. The team is usually among the fittest in South Jersey, and has always been built from the back, stressing defense first.
And another factor is that Haddonfield usually has capable goalies, the by-product of Falana's tutelage. Most coaches have been position players, and to have the insight of a keeper has been a major benefit.
