Ralph graduated from New Kensington High School in 1957 and attended Kiski Prep School in Saltsburg, PA the following year before enrolling in the University of Michigan in 1958. In 1963, Ralph transferred to Hillsdale College, where he played football and served as co-captain in his senior year. That same year, he earned Most Valuable Player under Coach Frank "Muddy" Waters. After earning his B.S. from Hillsdale, Ralph went on to earn his Master's degree from Eastern Michigan University. His career as a secondary educator and coach spanned 42 years, beginning in 1964 at Starr Commonwealth for Boys in Albion, MI. He then taught and coached at Ypsilanti High School from 1965-1978 where he had tremendous coaching success. Many of his athletes went on to play collegiate and professional football. From 1979-2006 Ralph taught at Lely High School. He served as head football, baseball and tennis coach for many of his years at Lely. Ralph's coaching career met with many successful seasons and "Coach of the Year" awards. After he stepped out of high school coaching he served as a local television commentator for the "Game of the Week". Ralph's leadership and coaching expertise contributed to a proud legacy of winning teams and served as an inspiration to four decades of students, colleagues, and friends. His greatest joy was family and football and his career in education.

In 2023, Perriello was inducted into the Hillsdale College Athletic Hall of Fame.