CCSU Alum Steve Addazio Named Head Football Coach at Temple
Former Central Connecticut football player and CCSU alum Steve Addazio was named the head football coach at Temple University on Thursday. Addazio, also the former head coach at Cheshire High School, most recently was the offensive coordinator at the University of Florida. The announcement was made on Thursday in Philadelphia.
Former Central Connecticut football player and CCSU alum Steve
Addazio was named the head football coach at Temple University on
Thursday. Addazio, also the former head coach at Cheshire High
School, most recently was the offensive coordinator at the
University of Florida. The announcement was made on Thursday in
Philadelphia.
FULL TEMPLE RELEASE
The following is the full release issued on Thursday,
Dec. 23 by Temple University:
Steve Addazio, who helped the University of Florida win two BCS
National Championships (2006, 2008) in the last five years, has
been named Temple University's 25th head football coach. He most
recently served as the associate head coach and offensive
coordinator for the Gators during the 2010 season.
The Farmington, Conn., native has quarter-century of coaching
experience and 11 postseason bowl games, including six BCS games in
the last 15 years, on his resume. He is expected to coach in the
Outback Bowl as Florida takes on Penn State on Jan. 1.
"This is truly a great day for Temple Football as Steve Addazio is
the perfect coach to take the program to the next level," Temple
University Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw said. "Steve brings
a wealth of experience with some of the nation's best programs. As
one of the top recruiters in the country, Steve will be able to
bring talented players to Temple, and with his vision and passion
for the game, he will be able to lead them to success on the
field.
"That success will also translate to the classroom, as Steve truly
understands the mission of Temple University in putting the
'student' first in student-athlete."
"It's great to be back in the Northeast. I'd like to thank Bill
Bradshaw and Dr. Ann Weaver Hart for giving me the opportunity to
be here," Addazio said. "I am honored. I am humbled to be standing
here as the head football coach at Temple University. I will give
everything I have to make Philadelphia and the University community
proud."
The 51-year old Addazio spent the past six seasons at the
University of Florida under head coach Urban Meyer, serving as
associate head coach and offensive coordinator in 2010.
He took over the reins of the offense in 2009 and finished the
season ranked first in the SEC in total offense and second in
rushing offense, passing offense and scoring offense. UF finished
in the Top 10 nationally in passing efficiency (1st), total offense
(6th), rushing offense (10th) and scoring offense (10th).
The Gators were the only team in the nation in 2009 to rush for
over 3,000 yards and pass for more than 3,000 yards. UF was one of
seven teams in the nation to have at least 25 rushing touchdowns
and 25 passing touchdowns on the season. Florida averaged 5.6 yards
per rush in 2009, the third-best average in the nation. The offense
totaled 3,105 rushing yards (6th in the nation) and 30 rushing
touchdowns (11th in the nation).
Center Maurkice Pouncey was named a first-team All-American in 2009
and became the first Rimington Trophy winner in Florida's school
history.
Addazio coached one of the most prominent offensive lines in UF
history in 2008 that allowed Florida to rush for 3,236 yards,
averaging a school-record 5.9 yards per carry, improving from a 5.3
average in 2007. The offensive line allowed the Gators to pass for
33 touchdowns and run for 42 touchdowns in 2008, as Heisman Trophy
quarterback Tim Tebow passed Emmitt Smith for first-place all-time
in rushing touchdowns. The 2008 offensive line only allowed 16
sacks during the season and contributed to one of the most balanced
teams in school history that ranked fourth in both scoring offense
and defense.
In 2007, he coached an offensive line that blocked for an offense
that rushed for 2,602 yards, for an average of 5.3 yards per carry,
a jump from the 2006 average of 4.7 yards, and also helped the
offense to run for 39 touchdowns. The OL allowed just 13 sacks in
2007, a drop of 10 sacks from 2006.
Addazio worked with the offensive line, which allowed only 23 sacks
and gave up one or less in a game seven times in 2006 after the
group allowed 35 sacks in 2005. The unit also paved the way for the
UF run game that increased from 3.9 yards per carry and 146.8 yards
per game in 2005 to 4.7 yards per carry and 160.0 yards per game in
2006.
Addazio went to Indiana (2002-04) after spending the previous three
seasons at the University of Notre Dame, where he served as the
offensive line, tight ends and special teams' coach between
1999-2001.
Prior to his tenure at Notre Dame, Addazio served on the staff at
Syracuse University for four seasons (1995-98). The Orange won
three consecutive Big East crowns during Addazio's four seasons and
appeared in four bowl games.
Prior to Addazio's Division I collegiate coaching career, he served
as one of the nation's top high school coaches at Cheshire High
School in Cheshire, Conn. He placed over 20 student-athletes in
Division I-A, I-AA, II, and III programs in his seven years. His
teams were nationally ranked in both 1992 and 1994. During one
stretch, his team won 34 consecutive games, the second-longest
string in the nation. His teams also won three state titles in a
row.
Addazio began his coaching career at Western Connecticut State
University, where he served as an assistant coach under Paul
Pasqualoni from 1984-87. The Colonials claimed the New England
Football Conference title in 1985 and advanced to the NCAA Division
III playoffs for the first time in school history.
Addazio is married to the former Kathy Donoghue. They have three
children- Nicole (23), Jessica (20), and Louie (17).
Addazio inherits a Temple team that posted an 8-4 record in 2010,
including a win over Big East champion Connecticut. It marked the
first time in school history Temple had back-to-back bowl
eligibility seasons. The Owls also won the 2010 Mayor's Cup,
winning its first overtime game in school history. Eleven Owls
earned All-MAC honors, including a school record eight first-team
All-MAC honorees for the second consecutive season.
Temple returns 14 starters, including five All-MAC honorees, for
the 2011 season.
THE STEVE ADDAZIO FILE
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2011- present Temple University, Head Coach
2005-10 University of Florida
2010 Associate Head Coach / Offensive Coordinator / Offensive
Line
2009 Assistant Head Coach / Offensive Coordinator / Offensive
Line
2008 Assistant Head Coach, Offense / Offensive Line
2007 Offensive Line
2006 Offensive Line / Tackles / Tight Ends
2005 Tight Ends
2002-04 Indiana University
2004 Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line
2002-03 Offensive Line
1999-2001 University of Notre Dame
1999-2001 Offensive Line / Tight Ends/Special Teams
1995-98 Syracuse University
1997-98 Offensive Line
1995-96 Assistant Offensive Line / Tight Ends
1988-94 Cheshire (Conn.) High School, Head Coach
1985-87 Western Connecticut State University
1985-87 Offensive Line / Recruiting Coordinator
BOWL GAMES AS A COACH
1996: Gator
1996: Liberty
1997: Fiesta
1999: Orange
2002: Fiesta
2006: Outback
2007: BCS National Championship
2008: Capital One
2009: BCS National Championship
2010: Sugar
2011: Outback
PLAYING CAREER
1978-81 Central Connecticut State University
Four-year starter
Addazio earned tryouts with the NFL's New England Patriots,
USFL's Jacksonville Bulls, and CFL's Ottawa Roughriders.
PERSONAL
Birthdate: June 1, 1959
Hometown: Farmington, Conn.
Education: 1981 - Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education from
Central Connecticut State University; 1985 - Master's Degree in
Physical Education from Central Connecticut State University
Family: Married to the former Kathy Donoghue. They have three
children: Nicole (23), Jessica (20), and Louie (17).
PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
FLORIDA:
• C MAURKICE POUNCEY - A consensus 2009 All-American and
recipient of the Rimington Trophy, presented to the nation's best
center. Played in 41 games with 38 career starts.
• LT PHIL TRAUTWEIN - A 2007 & 2008 All-SEC selection and
2008 Sports Illustrated second-team All-American. Played in 46
games with 29 starts as a Gator and was a 2008 team captain.
• OT RANDY HAND - Named to the 2005 AP and Coaches' Second
Team All-SEC team. Played in 47 games with 41 starts, including the
last 34 games of his college career.
INDIANA:
• LT ENOCH DeMAR - Three-time All-Big Ten selection who
started in the 2002 Hula Bowl. Also served as co-captain for the
Hoosiers and earned Academic All-Big Ten four times.
• WR COURTNEY ROBY - Indiana's all-time career leader in
receptions (170) and receiving yards (2,524). Was an All-Big Ten
second-team choice in 2004. Led the Hoosiers in receiving
three-straight seasons. Selected in the third round of the 2005 NFL
Draft by the Tennessee Titans.
NOTRE DAME:
• TE JABARI HOLLOWAY - Rated third nationally among tight ends
in 2000 preseason rankings by both The Sporting News and Lindy's.
Named to 2000 preseason All-Independent teams by The Sporting News
and Football News. Combined with Dan O'Leary to provide Notre Dame
with solid pairing at the tight end position. Listed as first-team
preseason All-America tight end for '99 by Lindy's - and was rated
seventh nationally among tight ends in '99 preseason position
evaluations by The Sporting News. Selected to play in 2001
Delchamps Senior Bowl All-Star Game.
• TE DAN O'LEARY - Led all 2000 Notre Dame receivers in
playing time and caught 10 passes for 87 yards and one touchdown.
Developed into a consistently solid blocker to go along with his
impressive receiving skills.
SYRACUSE:
• OG SCOTT KIERNAN - First-team All-Big East offensive
guard.
• TE ROLAND WILLIAMS - Started every game as a senior for the
Orange in 2000, catching eight passes for 132 yards (16.5 avg.) and
one touchdown. Played on Syracuse's special teams. Williams
recorded a career-high 13 catches for 140 yards (10.8 avg.) and
five touchdowns.
NFL PLAYERS COACHED (Round Drafted)
TE Kaseem Sinceno (FA) - Syracuse '98 - Philadelphia Eagles
TE Roland Williams (4th) - Syracuse '98 - St. Louis Rams
OL Scott Kiernan (FA) - Syracuse '99 - New York Giants
OT Mark Baniewicz (7th) - Syracuse '00 - Jacksonville Jaguars
TE Jabari Holloway (4th) - Notre Dame '01- New England Patriots
TE Dan O'Leary (6th) - Notre Dame '01 - Buffalo Bills
OG P.J. Alexander (FA) - Syracuse '02 - Denver Broncos
TE John Owens (5th) - Notre Dame '02 - Detroit Lions
OG Kurt Vollers (FA) - Notre Dame '02 - Indianapolis Colts
OT Jordan Black (5th) - Notre Dame '03 - Kansas City Chiefs
OT Brennan Curtin (6th) - Notre Dame '03 - Green Bay Packers
C Jeff Faine (1st) - Notre Dame '03 - Cleveland Browns
OT Enoch DeMar (FA) - Indiana '03 - Cleveland Browns
OG Sean Mahan (5th) - Notre Dame '03 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OT Jim Molinaro (7th) - Notre Dame '04 - Washington Redskins
WR Courtney Roby (3rd) - Indiana '05 - Tennessee Titans
OT Randy Hand (FA) - Florida '06 - New England Patriots
OT Isaac Sowells (4th) - Indiana '06 - Cleveland Browns
OT Tavares Washington (FA) - Florida '06 - San Francisco 49ers
C Drew Miller (FA) - Florida '08 - Jacksonville Jaguars
OT Carlton Medder (FA) - Florida '08 - Arizona Cardinals
QB Tim Tebow (1st) - Florida '09 - Denver Broncos
C Maurkice Pouncey (1st) - Florida '09 - Pittsburgh Steelers
OT Phil Trautwein (FA) - Florida '09 - St. Louis Rams
OT Jason Watkins (FA) - Florida '09 - Houston Texans
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT STEVE ADDAZIO
"I'm happy for Steve Addazio and his family. Steve has been
extremely loyal to me and the University of Florida, and I will be
forever thankful for his unwavering commitment. His energy and
passion have been well documented and he is a tremendous recruiter
and motivator. He is well respected by his peers and his players
and I wish him nothing but the best."
- Urban Meyer, former Florida Head Coach
"Steve has been a big part of our success the last six years at the
University of Florida. Everyone that knows Steve knows what a loyal
and passionate coach he is. He cares deeply about the players he
coaches, and he was a great motivator in the locker room. He has
the ability to relate to players, but still maintains their
respect. He was one of our top recruiters and his ties to the
Northeast will be a good fit for Temple. More than anything, Coach
Addazio is a good man with a good family. We wish him the best of
luck."
- Jeremy Foley, Florida Director of Athletics
"He knows how to lead a team and get a team going. We love Coach
Addazio to death."
- Maurkice Pouncey, former Florida center and current Pittsburgh
Steelers' center
"Without a doubt, Steve Addazio is one of the most talented coaches
I've ever been around.
I can't imagine a better fit in the country for Temple University
and the city of Philadelphia than Steve Addazio. He is a star."
- Bob Davie, College football analyst for ESPN and ABC
"Steve is a great football coach. He's a great motivator. Players
really respond to him. He has a great relationship with his
players, and he gets his players to play hard for him. He's very
passionate about what he does, and those are all the things you
look for in a coach."
- Dan Mullen, Mississippi State Head Coach
"One of the best men you will ever meet. Steve is a great
person."
- Teryl Austin, Florida Defensive Coordinator / Cornerbacks
Coach
"Steve Addazio helped the Gators weather the greatest of storms and
landed several of the top prospects in what is the best recruiting
class on paper over the past five recruiting cycles. For this, he
is the 2010 national recruiter of the year."
- J.C. Shurburtt, ESPN.com
"If you took that same poll among the players, their parents and
his fellow coaches, Addazio would be the most popular in a
landslide. Addazio's loyalty, sincerity, and frankness are
admirable, but his inner toughness has been his most valuable
commodity."
- Buddy Martin, Gator Country