By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Steve Addazio, the new Temple head football coach, recently took time to interview with The Capital Sports Report. His interview is about his coaching career.
This will be Addazio’s first head coaching opportunity. He previously served in numerous roles in college football.
He was most recently the Florida Gators assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/offensive line coach.
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Why did you choose to attend Central Connecticut?
SA: “I chose to attend Central Connecticut because I felt like it was the best school for me at the time. I started my freshman year all the way through my senior year.”
After earning tryouts with the NFL, USFL, and the CFL, you moved on to coaching. What inspired you to go into coaching?
SA: “My father is a coach, so I knew after my playing days, that I wanted to get into coaching. It was a way for me to stay involved in the game and give back to those that have helped me throughout the years. ”
Could you talk about being the Western Connecticut offensive line coach?
SA: “I have to thank Paul Pasqualoni (the current Connecticut head coach) for giving me the opportunity. I was working in the real world, before going into coaching. My first year there, we went to the Division III playoffs after winning the 1985 (New England Football Conference) championship.”
After being at Western Connecticut, you moved on to Chesire High School, where you received your first head coaching position. Could you talk about being a high school head coach there?
SA: “It was a good time. I had a very good program there, as I saw more than twenty of my players go on to college football rosters. At the time, we had a thirty-four-game win streak. We also won four straight state titles, which the school hadn’t done before.”
Could you talk about being the Offensive Line Coach and Tight End Coach at Syracuse?
SA: “I followed Pasqualoni to Syracuse. He hired me as the offensive line coach and tight ends coach after previously working together at Western Connecticut. I enjoyed my time there. We were able to make it to four bowl games, including a Fiesta Bowl and Orange Bowl. Unfortunately, we lost both of those games.”
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Could you also talk about being the Offensive Line coach and Tight End coach at Notre Dame?
SA: “It was always a dream of mine to coach at Notre Dame. That dream came true when Bob Davie hired me. At that time, I became close friends with Urban Meyer, as we were on the same staff for two years. Unfortunately, it did not work out there for coach Davie, but I am thankful for him giving me my dream job.”
Could you talk about working for Gerry DiNardo at Indiana, where you were named the Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line coach?
SA: “I had to adjust to making the calls. It was something that took time to adjust to, especially at the college level. Coach DiNardo had trust in me that I would make the right calls in the right situations. It was a good learning experience to where I am now.”
At Notre Dame, you were on the same coaching staff as Urban Meyer. A few seasons later, he hired you at Florida. Could you talk about your relationship with Meyer?
SA: “Meyer knew that I was looking for a position and he hired me at Florida after working with each other at Notre Dame. Our friendship had a part in Coach Meyer hiring me to his staff. We are the best of friends.”
What did it mean to you to be a part of the two National Championship teams at Florida?
SA: “It meant a lot. We had a lot of outstanding players in those years. Tim Tebow was a great leader, in who we had a lot of faith in. We knew we could count on him in clutch situations. I don’t want to forget about the other offensive or defensive players. Brandon Spikes was very good too. He was the leader of the defense. We had a lot of excellent role players, too.”
What does it mean to you to be the head coach of the Temple football program?
SA: “It means a lot to me. It has been a dream of mine to run my own football team. Now, thanks to Temple, I am able to do that. I think we can accomplish great things here.”
Of the previous coaches that you have worked for, who do you think you most model your coaching style after?
SA: “I have modeled my coaching style after all the previous coaches that I’ve worked for. Coach Pasqualoni, Coach Meyer, Coach Davie, and Coach DiNardo – I have taken a lot of advice and philosophies from them and modeled it into the style that I use today.”
What are your future goals with the program in the years to come?
SA: “I think we can be the Boise State of the East. I believe that can happen. I also have goals of winning the Mid-American Conference every year, thus making us eligible to go to bowl games every year. That’s what we want.”
How long do you think it will take before you become the Boise State of the East?
SA: “It is only a matter of time. I don’t know how long, but it will happen. I think we are on the brink of something special here.”
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