Reilly attended Boston College, graduating in 1899. He was a member of the 1899 football team, "Boston College's first great team".[5]
Georgetown University
Reilly played for the Georgetown Blue and Gray at Georgetown University. As a player, he was an All-Southernhalfback and captain of the 1902 team.[6][7][8] An account of a 12–5 victory over Navy reads "No occupants of the half back positions who have been seen here this season have approached the showing made by Joe Reilly to-day."[9]Hub Hart, who had also attended Boston College, was in the same backfield.[3][10] Reilly also lettered in other sports, including baseball and rowing. He ran track as well, captaining the squad and called its fastest man.[11][12] He once held the record for the 220 yards.
Coaching career
From 1904 to 1907, Reilly served as the head football coach of Georgetown University. He was the first former Georgetown player to become the school's head coach.[13] Reilly also coached track.[11]
In 1908 he served as co-head football coach, with Joe Kenney, at his alma mater, Boston College. 1908 was the first season that Boston College returned to varsity status after the program was dropped in 1902. His record for the year was 2–4–2.
^"California, Death Index, 1940-1997," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VGYX-CNQ : accessed 6 February 2015), Joseph Augustus Reilly, 10 Nov 1951; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.
^National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925; Roll #: 2530; Volume #: Roll 2530 - Certificates: 422350-422849, 21 May 1924-21 May 1924