Bob Casullo
Encyclopedia
Bob Casullo is a journeyman NFL
coach who most recently coached for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, having started his NFL career in 2000 coaching Special Teams for the Raiders
. Casullo was most recently the Assistant Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator for Syracuse University but left that position in November 2010, one week before the team's final regular season game. He is married with 2 boys who also coach football
Bob was a 3 sport athlete for the mounties & was a captain for
all 3(football-basketball-baseball) teams.After starring at QB
in high school casullo went onto a stellar career at running
back for Brockport State in New York earning honorable mention
All-America honors in his senior season.
as Tight Ends Coach, Curtis Martin
won the NFL Rushing title (by 1 yard).
to another broken collar bone, and the other injuries to WRs, LBs and DB began to eat into his personnel. There were also miscues: several fumbles on kick and punt returns, some lost, notably at (certainly not in) the hands of Josh Scobey
seemed to portend ill tidings. Blown coverages that allowed a kick return for a touchdown in St. Louis versus the hated Rams, and a punt return for a touchdown by Steve Smith in the NFC Championship game threatened to doom the Seahawks greatest season. But converted safety Jordan "Big Play Babs" Babineaux
forced a fumble on special teams which was recovered by long snapper J. P. Darche to seal the victory in St. Louis. There was evidence of an illegal block in the back freeing Steve Smith for the punt returned for a TD, but the officials picked up the flag, surprising and elating the Carolina radio crew. Josh Brown, who provided his share of game-winning kicks, ultimately tied a franchise record of 8 50+ yard field goals and earned an invite as a Pro Bowl alternate.
over Donnie Jones
who led the NFL in net avg punt yards (for the Miami Dolphins
). Rouen did have a few standout performances, particularly in the NFC Divisional game in Seattle and parts of the NFC Championship game. But he was prone to getting off the occasional flat, exceptionally returnable punt. Casullo was adamant that Rouen's veteran touch would made him a better choice than the somewhat more powerful Jones. Rouen may well have been the difference for the Seahawks as they struggled in the first part of the Divisional matchup against the Redskins
, but his performance in the Super Bowl left much to be desired. At the start of 2006, Rouen has gone off to San Francisco
, leaving Wake Forest University
standout Ryan "The Mule" Plackmeier
and Gabe Lindstrom the promising NFL Europe veteran to battle for the solution to last year's problem. But this is a minor ding in a stellar reputation of a coach that also is responsible for bringing in both sabastian janikowski & shane lechler.. both have been pro bowlers & lechler is cementing himself as one of the best raiders of all time.
On November 22, 2010, Syracuse Head Coach Doug Marrone announced that Casullo was no longer a part of the coaching staff. Marrone gave no further explanation.
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
coach who most recently coached for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, having started his NFL career in 2000 coaching Special Teams for the Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Casullo was most recently the Assistant Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator for Syracuse University but left that position in November 2010, one week before the team's final regular season game. He is married with 2 boys who also coach football
Career
Little Falls High School -Class of 69'Bob was a 3 sport athlete for the mounties & was a captain for
all 3(football-basketball-baseball) teams.After starring at QB
in high school casullo went onto a stellar career at running
back for Brockport State in New York earning honorable mention
All-America honors in his senior season.
Raiders
Though his career in the NFL started only a short time ago, he has distinguished himself as one of the league's better Special Teams coaches. His special teams unit helped the Raiders to three consecutive AFC West titles (2000–2002) including an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVII. In 2000, his unit led the whole of the NFL in net punting average. In 2001, they led the AFC sending their punter to the Pro Bowl. That year he also produced an outstanding kickoff coverage unit (best in the NFL), that kept opponents less than 20 yards from their own end zone 17 times. In his final year with the Raiders he produced a unit that was third in the NFL in punt return average.Jets
During his 2004 season with the New York JetsNew York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as Tight Ends Coach, Curtis Martin
Curtis Martin
Curtis James Martin, Jr. is a former American football running back. He is an alumnus of Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh...
won the NFL Rushing title (by 1 yard).
Seahawks
His first season with the Seahawks, in 2005, was rocky but not without success. The special teams were plagued by injuries and saw a rotation of injury replacements. Casullo had lost former Special Teams Pro Bowler Alex BannisterAlex Bannister
Alex Bannister is a former American football wide receiver. He attended Eastern Kentucky University and was selected in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. In 2003 he was selected to the Pro Bowl, mainly due to his special teams contributions.-External links:* ESPN.com:...
to another broken collar bone, and the other injuries to WRs, LBs and DB began to eat into his personnel. There were also miscues: several fumbles on kick and punt returns, some lost, notably at (certainly not in) the hands of Josh Scobey
Josh Scobey
Joshua Payne Scobey is an American football running back and kick returner who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kansas State...
seemed to portend ill tidings. Blown coverages that allowed a kick return for a touchdown in St. Louis versus the hated Rams, and a punt return for a touchdown by Steve Smith in the NFC Championship game threatened to doom the Seahawks greatest season. But converted safety Jordan "Big Play Babs" Babineaux
Jordan Babineaux
Jordan Jude Babineaux is an American football safety for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2004 out of Southern Arkansas University....
forced a fumble on special teams which was recovered by long snapper J. P. Darche to seal the victory in St. Louis. There was evidence of an illegal block in the back freeing Steve Smith for the punt returned for a TD, but the officials picked up the flag, surprising and elating the Carolina radio crew. Josh Brown, who provided his share of game-winning kicks, ultimately tied a franchise record of 8 50+ yard field goals and earned an invite as a Pro Bowl alternate.
Criticisms
The criticism of Casullo that sticks the best is his choosing punter Tom RouenTom Rouen
Thomas Francis Rouen is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He last played for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League in the 2005 season.-Early life:...
over Donnie Jones
Donnie Jones
Donald Scott Jones, Jr. is an American football punter for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He played collegiately at Louisiana State University.-High school career:...
who led the NFL in net avg punt yards (for the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
). Rouen did have a few standout performances, particularly in the NFC Divisional game in Seattle and parts of the NFC Championship game. But he was prone to getting off the occasional flat, exceptionally returnable punt. Casullo was adamant that Rouen's veteran touch would made him a better choice than the somewhat more powerful Jones. Rouen may well have been the difference for the Seahawks as they struggled in the first part of the Divisional matchup against the Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, but his performance in the Super Bowl left much to be desired. At the start of 2006, Rouen has gone off to San Francisco
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, leaving Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
standout Ryan "The Mule" Plackmeier
Ryan Plackemeier
Ryan Steven Plackemeier is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
and Gabe Lindstrom the promising NFL Europe veteran to battle for the solution to last year's problem. But this is a minor ding in a stellar reputation of a coach that also is responsible for bringing in both sabastian janikowski & shane lechler.. both have been pro bowlers & lechler is cementing himself as one of the best raiders of all time.
Buccaneers
On January 19, 2007, Casullo was reunited with Coach John Gruden & hired as the tight ends coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, replacing the departing Ron Middleton. He joined the staff immediately and will be part of the coaching staff for the Senior Bowl.Coming home
On Friday, February 13, 2009, Syracuse University announced that Casullo had been hired as Syracuse University's assistant head coach for football. This represents a significant accomplishment for Casullo who has maintained a respectful, intense passion for the team that gave him his first big break..He also was part of the coaching staff of local power Henniger High School..He was born & raised in nearby Little Falls High School & Played his college football at Brockport State. http://www.uticaod.com/sports/x1102489473/Little-Falls-native-named-SU-s-assistant-head-coachOn November 22, 2010, Syracuse Head Coach Doug Marrone announced that Casullo was no longer a part of the coaching staff. Marrone gave no further explanation.