Former CCSU Football Player Mike Cerullo and the New Orleans Saints Win Super Bowl XLIV

Another former Central Connecticut State University football player is going to be sporting a new ring very soon. Mike Cerullo, a former running back with the Blue Devils from 1987-90, is an assistant coach with the New Orleans Saints. On Sunday night, Cerullo and the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 to win the first Super Bowl in team history.

(Click here for a feature article on Mike that ran last week in his hometown paper)

"For this franchise and the city of New Orleans to have bounced back from the tragedy of Katrina, this is truly a great moment," Cerullo said while heading back to New Orleans on Monday. "It culminates a long road back."

Cerullo has been a member of the Saints' coaching staff for the past three seasons, beginning in 2007. This season he worked primarily with the defense after spending two years on the offensive side of the ball. Prior to joining the Saints he spent one season with the Atlanta Falcons.

"For me personally it's been a long road and a dream that started a long time ago coaching high school football," Cerullo said. "It's surreal. I used to call Scott Pioli, my former teammate, for advice on how to get where he was. Hard work was the common theme. Thankfully he was always willing to lend advice and support."

Cerullo was a running back for the Blue Devils from 1987-90. He rushed the ball 86 times for 348 yards and one touchdown during his time in New Britain. He also caught seven passes.

"I'm proud of where I came from and where I am now," he said. "It hasn't sunk in yet, but when our victory parade starts on Tuesday I know it will be real."

Cerullo joins three other former Blue Devils who also have Super Bowl rings. Pioli has three (2002, 2004, 2005) from his time with the New England Patriots. Dallas Cowboys assistant coach Dave Campo has three (1993, 1994, 1996) during a previous stint as an assistant with the Cowboys. Frank Leonard, currently an assistant with the Rams, also has a ring from his time with the Patriots (2005).