Jim Colletto
Colletto from 1965 UCLA yearbook
Biographical details
Born (1944-10-04) October 4, 1944 (age 79)
Playing career
1963–1965UCLA
Position(s)Defensive end, fullback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1967–1968UCLA (OL)
1969Brown (OL)
1970–1971Xavier (OL)
1972–1974Pacific (CA) (OL)
1975–1979Cal State Fullerton
1980–1981UCLA (OL)
1982–1984Purdue (OC)
1985–1987Arizona State (OC)
1988–1990Ohio State (OC)
1991–1996Purdue
1997–1998Notre Dame (OC)
1999–2005Baltimore Ravens (OL)
2006UCLA (AHC/OL)
2007–2008Detroit Lions (OC/OL)
Head coaching record
Overall38–80–4

Jim Colletto (born October 4, 1944) is a former American football player and coach. He attended Monterey High School (1958–1962) where he was an all conference baseball and football player and starter on the varsity basketball team. At UCLA Colletto was all conference in baseball and football; where he led the team in rushing as a sophomore and as a senior defensive end was captain of the UCLA team that beat Michigan State in the 1966 Rose Bowl.

He served as the head football coach at California State University, Fullerton from 1975 to 1979 and at Purdue University from 1991 to 1996, compiling a career college football record of 38–80–4. Colletto was the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, replacing Mike Martz, who was fired on January 2, 2008. He was hired as the Lions' offensive line coach on January 29, 2007 after spending a year as the UCLA offensive line coach under Karl Dorrell. Prior to that he was offensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens from 1999 thought 2005. Colletto was previously the offensive coordinator at the University of Notre Dame for the 1997 and 1998 seasons and was the head coach at Purdue University from 1991 to 1996. During his six seasons at Purdue, Colletto's teams compiled a 21–42–3 record.

Colletto was a member of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl XXXV championship team.

Purdue

Colletto was named Purdue University's head coach in December 1990, accepting the position while he was serving as the offensive coordinator for Ohio State.[1] Colletto came to Purdue with the goal of recruiting kids from the Chicago area, and keeping Purdue's quarterback tradition trending onward.[1] During his introduction press conference, he stated that at the practice field, he planned to install a small cemetery in which he would place a tombstone for every school Purdue upset or beat on the road.[2] Colletto also provided up change on offense, as he brought his I formation with him from Ohio State.[3] During his first season as head coach, the Boilermakers improved winning two more games than they had the year before, and freshman tailback Corey Rogers was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.[4]

In 1992, Colletto lost Rogers to academic ineligibility, and was forced to use a new running back.[4] The Rogers suspension opened the door for what would become Purdue's all-time leading rusher, Mike Alstott.[5]

In 1993, Colletto was in some hot water when former player, Ryan Harmon sued Purdue, claiming that Colletto had physically and mentally abused him.[6]

In 1994, the Boilermakers got out to a 4–1–1 start, and were starting to gain national attention.[7] With Rogers and Alstott leading the way out of the Purdue backfield, Purdue racked up 1,206 and 17 rushing touchdowns in 6 games.[7] However Purdue stumbled down the stretch, finishing the season 0–4–1. (1-3-1 due to Michigan state forfeiting all their 1994 games)

Colletto resigned in November 1996.[8]

Colletto was hired in December as Notre Dame's offensive coordinator in December 1996.[9]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Cal State Fullerton Titans (Pacific Coast Athletic Association) (1975–1979)
1975 Cal State Fullerton 2–9 0–5 6th
1976 Cal State Fullerton 3–7–1 1–3 4th
1977 Cal State Fullerton 4–7 0–4 5th
1978 Cal State Fullerton 5–7 2–2 4th
1979 Cal State Fullerton 3–8 1–4 5th
Cal State Fullerton: 17–38–1 4–18
Purdue Boilermakers (Big Ten Conference) (1991–1996)
1991 Purdue 4–7 3–5 T–6th
1992 Purdue 4–7 3–5 T–6th
1993 Purdue 1–10 0–8 T–10th
1994 Purdue 5–4–2 3–3–2 T–5th
1995 Purdue 4–6–1 2–5–1 9th
1996 Purdue 3–8 2–6 8th
Purdue: 21–42–3 13–32–3
Total: 38–80–4

References

  1. ^ a b Bil Jauss (December 7, 1990). "New Purdue Coach Plans Ahead". www.chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  2. ^ Mike Conklin (May 2, 1991). "Write-handed: The way the Cubs broke loose for 21 runs..." www.chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  3. ^ "Big 10 Outlook". www.chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. September 1, 1991. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Purdue`s Rogers Ruled Ineligible". www.chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. August 26, 1992. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  5. ^ Andrew Bagnato (December 7, 1995). "Runner-up Alstott Ran Up Big Numbers At Purdue". www.chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  6. ^ "Football Player Sues Purdue". www.chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. August 4, 1993. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Purdue Revival Excites Former Star". www.chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. October 22, 1994. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  8. ^ Andrew Bagnato (November 5, 1996). "Purdue's Colletto 2nd Coach To Exit Big Ten Within Week". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  9. ^ Andrew Bagnato (December 8, 1996). "Notre Dame Taps Colletto For Offense". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
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