UAlbany Welcomes Head Coach Greg Gattuso To “Purple Family”
ALBANY, N.Y. – In a room full of media and members of the University at Albany community, UAlbany President Dr. Robert Jones and Vice-President and Director of Athletics Dr. Lee McElroy welcomed Greg Gattuso to UAlbany’s “Purple Family,” Tuesday afternoon in the SEFCU Arena Hall of Fame Room.
Football program architect Bob Ford also sat on the dais, passing the torch to Gattuso who becomes just the second head football coach in the University’s history.
“I am just very excited to be here today,” said Gattuso. “When you get an opportunity to replace a legend, it’s very difficult to do. “
Ford started the program in 1970 and retired at the end of the 2013 fall season.
Dr. McElroy opened the press conference saying, “We were told by President Jones to conduct a search that was transparent and inclusive and I think we did that to the best our ability.”
“Greg Gattuso comes to UAlbany with a very, very accomplished and very impressive record both as a coach and as a player,” stated President Jones. “He shares, I believe, many of the characteristics and values that the UAlbany program has come to be known for, such as integrity, academic excellence, and community service.”
Jones continued, “I think perhaps the highest compliment comes from Coach Ford himself, who says that “Coach Gattuso is cut from the same cloth that I am,” and that the kids are very, very important to him.”
Gattuso comes to UAlbany with 15 years of head coaching experience and extensive experience at the FBS and FCS levels.
Most recently, Gattuso spent the last three seasons as a member Randy Edsall’s University of Maryland coaching staff. There, he led the defensive line that ranked among the top in the ACC and was promoted to the position of assistant head coach in February 2012. Gattuso will coach Maryland in the Military Bowl in Annapolis on Dec. 7th as his last duty as a Terrapin.
Prior to Maryland, Gattuso spent six seasons at Pittsburgh (2005-10) where he turned the Panthers’ defensive line into one of the team’s major strengths, and developed three Big East Defensive Player of the Year winners. During his tenure, the Panthers logged a 26-12 overall record, a 15-6 mark in the Big East, and appeared in three bowl games.
“Working for Dave Wannstedt and Randy Edsall have helped forge my skills as a heads coach and improve the things that I needed to improve on. And I feel I am ready for this challenge to lead Albany into the CAA, into their second year,” said Gattuso.
Before Pitt, Gattuso had a successful 12-year stint (1993-2004) as head coach at Duquesne University where he built the Dukes into one of the most elite I-AA football programs in the nation. The winningest coach in school history, the Dukes went 97-32 (.752) under his direction, won eight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) titles, made five bowl appearances, and captured the 2003 consensus Mid-Major Division I-AA national championship.
As a player, Gattuso won a national title at Penn State in 1982 and has had a track record of success throughout his career.
“I am a confident guy,” said Gattuso. “I believe we are going to win this conference. I believe we can bring a national championship to the University at Albany and the city of Albany.
“There’s going to be some change in the program, but the core values of this program will not change. They will not change,” Gattuso emphasized. “We’re going to keep this program proud, and go out into that gorgeous stadium and win some games hopefully as soon as possible.”
