Ed O'Neil (football)
Encyclopedia
Edward William O'Neil (born September 8, 1952) is an American football
coach
and former professional linebacker
, who played seven seasons in the National Football League
. He is currently the special teams/linebacker coach for the Falcons of Niagara-Wheatfield High School in Niagara County, New York
.
n while attending Warren Area High School
in Warren, Pennsylvania
. From 1970-1973, he played linebacker for coaching legend Joe Paterno
at Penn State. A three-year letterman, he was team captain
of the Nittany Lions
' undefeated 1973 team and was named an All-American that same season.
O'Neil earned a Bachelor of Science
in Health and Physical Education from Penn State University in 1974. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta
.
in the 1974 NFL Draft
. He played linebacker
for the Lions from 1974-1979 and the Green Bay Packers
in 1980.
for Hamilton Tiger-Cats
of the Canadian Football League
. He was hired March 2, 2007 to replace former coordinator Rod Rust
, who now serves as a defensive consultant. Prior to coaching in the CFL, O'Neil spent three seasons as defensive coordinator for NFL Europe
's Frankfurt Galaxy
(2004-2006). He also coached for the Rhein Fire
in 2002 and 2003.
It was as linebackers and special teams coach at Rutgers
(1984-1994) that O'Neil first worked for future Frankfurt
head coach
Dick Curl
. From 1996 to 1998, O'Neil was defensive coordinator for the University at Buffalo
. He was also on the staff of Eastern Michigan University
, followed by a year in Indiana University
during 1983.
with his wife, Nancy. His eldest son, Kevin O'Neil, played linebacker at Syracuse University
. Son Keith
, plays in the NFL (Dallas Cowboys
, Indianapolis Colts
, New York Giants
). His son-in law, Drew Haddad
, was drafted by the Buffalo Bills
in the 7th round of the 2000 NFL Draft
and played for the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers
after rewriting the record book for receiving as one of the Buffalo Bulls
at the University at Buffalo.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
and former professional linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, who played seven seasons in the National Football League
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...
. He is currently the special teams/linebacker coach for the Falcons of Niagara-Wheatfield High School in Niagara County, New York
Niagara County, New York
Niagara County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 216,469. The county seat is Lockport. The county name is from the Iroquois word Onguiaahra; meaning the strait or thunder of waters. It is the location of Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara, and...
.
High school and college
O'Neil was named a high school All-AmericaAll-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n while attending Warren Area High School
Warren Area High School
Located in Warren, Pennsylvania, Warren Area High School was built in the 1960s. The school has 956 students. It is one of four high schools operated by Warren County School District. The WAHS mascot is a dragon. There is also Warren County Career Center located on the WAHS campus...
in Warren, Pennsylvania
Warren, Pennsylvania
Warren is a city in Warren County, Pennsylvania, United States, located along the Allegheny River. The population was 9,710 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Warren County. It is home to the headquarters of the Allegheny National Forest and the Cornplanter State Forest...
. From 1970-1973, he played linebacker for coaching legend Joe Paterno
Joe Paterno
Joseph Vincent "Joe" Paterno is a former college football coach who was the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions for 46 years from 1966 through 2011. Paterno, nicknamed "JoePa," holds the record for the most victories by an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football coach with...
at Penn State. A three-year letterman, he was team captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
of the Nittany Lions
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
' undefeated 1973 team and was named an All-American that same season.
O'Neil earned a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Health and Physical Education from Penn State University in 1974. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta
Phi Gamma Delta
The international fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta is a collegiate social fraternity with 120 chapters and 18 colonies across the United States and Canada. It was founded at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and its headquarters are located in Lexington, Kentucky, USA...
.
National Football League
O'Neil was a first round draft pick, 8th overall, by the Detroit LionsDetroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
in the 1974 NFL Draft
1974 NFL Draft
The 1974 National Football League Draft took place at the Americana Hotel in New York City on January 29–30, 1974. Each of the 26 NFL teams was granted 17 selections for a total of 442 picks....
. He played linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Lions from 1974-1979 and the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
in 1980.
Coaching career
As of 2010 Oneil is the Linebacker/ special teams coach at Niagara Wheatfield High School in Sanborn,NY.He was the defensive coordinatorDefensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. He was hired March 2, 2007 to replace former coordinator Rod Rust
Rod Rust
Rodney A. Rust is a former American football player and coach. He is best known in the United States as the coach of the New England Patriots of the National Football League during the 1990 season, which ended with a 1–15 record....
, who now serves as a defensive consultant. Prior to coaching in the CFL, O'Neil spent three seasons as defensive coordinator for NFL Europe
NFL Europe
NFL Europe was an American football league which operated in Europe from 1991 until 2007. Backed by the National Football League , the largest professional American football league in the United States, it was founded as the World League of American Football to serve as a type of spring league...
's Frankfurt Galaxy
Frankfurt Galaxy
The Frankfurt Galaxy was a professional American football team that originally played in the World League of American Football and later in the resurrected NFL Europe. The team was based in Frankfurt, Germany and played in the Commerzbank-Arena, formerly called the Waldstadion.-History:In 1991, the...
(2004-2006). He also coached for the Rhein Fire
Rhein Fire
The Rhein Fire was a professional American football team in NFL Europe, formerly the World League of American Football. Established in Germany in 1995, the franchise resurrected the name of the former Birmingham Fire team which was active during the 1991-1992 WLAF seasons.-History:The team was...
in 2002 and 2003.
It was as linebackers and special teams coach at Rutgers
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
(1984-1994) that O'Neil first worked for future Frankfurt
Frankfurt Galaxy
The Frankfurt Galaxy was a professional American football team that originally played in the World League of American Football and later in the resurrected NFL Europe. The team was based in Frankfurt, Germany and played in the Commerzbank-Arena, formerly called the Waldstadion.-History:In 1991, the...
head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Dick Curl
Dick Curl
Richard "Dick" Curl is a former American football coach who has retired as the assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League.-External links:*...
. From 1996 to 1998, O'Neil was defensive coordinator for the University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, also commonly known as the University at Buffalo or UB, is a public research university and a "University Center" in the State University of New York system. The university was founded by Millard Fillmore in 1846. UB has multiple campuses...
. He was also on the staff of Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ypsilanti is west of Detroit and eight miles east of Ann Arbor. The university was founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School...
, followed by a year in Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
during 1983.
Personal
O'Neil lives in Pendleton, New YorkPendleton, New York
Pendleton is a town on the southern edge of Niagara County, New York, United States. It is east of the city of Niagara Falls and southwest of the city of Lockport. The population was 6,397 at the 2010 census.- History :...
with his wife, Nancy. His eldest son, Kevin O'Neil, played linebacker at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
. Son Keith
Keith O'Neil
Keith Daniel O'Neil is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2003...
, plays in the NFL (Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
, New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
). His son-in law, Drew Haddad
Drew Haddad
Drew Haddad is a former National Football League wide receiver, who played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Buffalo Bills. He finished his career with the San Diego Chargers. He was drafted with the 25th pick of the 7th round in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills...
, was drafted by the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 7th round of the 2000 NFL Draft
2000 NFL Draft
The 2000 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur U.S. college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 15–16, 2000...
and played for the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
after rewriting the record book for receiving as one of the Buffalo Bulls
Buffalo Bulls
The Buffalo Bulls are the athletic teams representing the University at Buffalo in intercollegiate athletics. The Bulls currently play in Division I , and are a member of the Mid-American Conference for all sports except women's rowing who is in the Cononial Athletic Assocition . They have been a...
at the University at Buffalo.